Russia's Justice Ministry again labels Mediazona as a foreign agent
Russia's Justice Ministry has re-designated the independent outlet Mediazona as a foreign agent, accusing it of spreading false information about law-enforcement.
On Friday, Russia's Justice Ministry declared the independent news service Mediazona a foreign agent, invoking the label used for foreign-funded entities involved in politics. The ministry alleged that Mediazona spread false information about the country's law-enforcement agencies, a claim the outlet disputes. Mediazona announced the designation on its Telegram channel, emphasizing that this is the second time it has been labeled a foreign agent after an initial listing in 2021 and removal from the authorized media register.
Editor Yegor Skovoroda, now based outside Russia, described the ministry's statement as "incredibly crazy." The outlet's website has been blocked by Roskomnadzor since March 2022, and criminal cases have been opened against several journalists, including editor-in-chief Sergei Smirnov, who also works abroad.
Why it matters
The move tightens state control over independent media and raises concerns about press freedom in Russia.
In this story
