Russia Tightens Grip on Mediazona: A Second 'Foreign Agent' Designation

Russia's Justice Ministry has again branded Mediazona, an independent news outlet, as a 'foreign agent.' This label implies foreign influence and heightened government oversight. Despite being previously removed from the list, the outlet faces renewed scrutiny amidst broader crackdowns on press freedom in the country since the Ukraine invasion.

Russia's Justice Ministry has declared the independent news outlet Mediazona a 'foreign agent,' a label indicating foreign funding and political activity, according to the ministry. The designation, reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics, comes as part of the Kremlin's increasing scrutiny of media entities.

Mediazona, accused of disseminating false information about the Russian law enforcement system, was labeled a 'foreign agent' previously in 2021 and removed from Russia's list of authorized media. This marks the second attempt by Russian authorities to impose the label on the outlet, Mediazona announced through Telegram.

Further complicating its operations, Russia's communication regulator blocked Mediazona's website in March 2022 following the Ukraine invasion. Criminal cases have been opened against several of its journalists, including editor-in-chief Sergei Smirnov, who remain abroad to continue their reporting.