The Interpreter, an invaluable source of information regarding Russia and, in these days, Ukraine, links to an article in Izvestia reporting that the Duma is considering a draft law, prepared by a member of Putin's United Russia party, which would, according to The Interpreter
giv[e] criminal penalties to journalists who publish “false anti-Russian information, and/or provide information and support to extremist anti-Russian separatist forces, including the reflection of events beyond the borders of Russia.”
“Beyond the borders of Russia…” In other words, if Crimea votes to join Russia, journalists who criticize what happens next could be tried for separatism. Even short of that, if journalists publish anything that the government views as “false anti-Russian information,” then the journalists could be subjected to the same penalties.
Izvestia, in Google translation, reports:
The reason for the development of the bill are publications in the Russian media, in which the authors, according to the MP [member of parliament], admitted incorrect historical analogies and interpretation of events in Russia and the Ukraine coup.
Izvestia adds that the first deputy chairman of the relevant Duma committee "supported the idea of the law on the liability of the media for 'anti-state' of the publication[.]" (
Sic, in Google translation).
The Interpreter explains:
“Beyond the borders of Russia…” In other words, if Crimea votes to join Russia, journalists who criticize what happens next could be tried for separatism. Even short of that, if journalists publish anything that the government views as “false anti-Russian information,” then the journalists could be subjected to the same penalties.
