Russian Government Demands All Foreign Press Outlets Register For The Privilege Of Delivering News To Russia

from the get-in-the-sea,-Putin dept

The Russian government sure loves its registration. If anyone wants to do anything involving the written (and/or broadcasted) word in Russia, the government wants to know who you are. That makes it easier to find you should you displease the Russian government and/or its bear-riding autocrat.

It's so great to be part of the new New World Order. Gone are the days of the Soviet Union and its direct control of the nation's press outlets. We're living in a new era of quasi-, mostly-mob-fueled-capitalism in Russia. And with it comes… the direct control of the nation's press outlets.

The Russian government has demanded all bloggers register with the government in order to continue blogging. The government has also demanded all Wi-Fi networks be registered with the government. So it goes without saying all domestic press is registered with the government, but we'll say it anyway since unregistered press outfits are being hit with hefty fines for not playing ball with their overlords.

That takes care of the domestic "problem." But what about all those pesky extranationals whose printed words might be somehow troublesome to the Russian Republic? Well, Putin et al have a solution whipped up to keep dirty foreigners from apprising Russian citizens about the sad state of their country under its autocratic leadership.

Under the new law, media publications must obtain a permit and register their media outlet with Russian media watchdog, Roskomnadzor. [...] The law was proposed to better regulate foreign media outlets who have contracts with local distributors. The new law is supposed to make sure all of these contracts are brought under the review of the state.

As expected, the new law has its critics, both foreign and domestic. And, as expected, the Russian government has not a single fuck to give about critics of its media control.

The new law governs all printed media distributed by non-citizens, bringing it in line with the domestic product. The fines, however, aren't all that hefty (although exchange rates may make them particularly painful for some countries). They're even less hefty if foreign press outlets refuse to pay them, which seems like a totally legitimate option when faced with illegitimate use of government power.

Those with deeper pockets should pay the nominal fees (which range from $23 to $470, depending on the size of the corporation) and keep pumping info not directly controlled by the Russian government into the eyeballs and brains of Russian citizens. Those that can't pay the fees -- or are willing to stand on principle -- should continue to do the same thing, only without cutting checks to a lousy government that can't stand having an informed populace.

As for American tech companies, they too should extend a digital middle finger to Roskomnadzor when it starts demanding content the Russian government finds offensive be removed or blocked. You're not the boss of me is the operative phrase here and it should be delivered as frequently -- and as petulantly -- as possible.

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Filed Under: free speech, journalism, news, registration, russia


Reader Comments

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  1. icon
    ECA (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 12:04pm

    Lets see...

    China,
    India,
    Australia,
    Parts of the EU,
    !/2 of the middle east..
    Iv said before, that the Internet is the most democratic location in the world.. How many Countries want this??
    the only reason to Shut down/restrict the net, is the idea that you CANT monitor it all. Even monitoring Just your own nation is a hassle.

    that would be an interesting idea that the ISP's are responsible for Their OWN sections and monitoring. And more fun to get the Corps that Dont sell access to be UNDER the cover/protection/control of the ISP's...so they can be monitored/controlled/regulated easier.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 12:49pm

    Censorship

    What idiots. They should outsource their censorship to "private" companies as the good old US of A does.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 12:56pm

    Does donny have to register?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 1:00pm

    Re:

    He's got an honorary registration.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 1:02pm

    Re: Re:

    It was part of his agreement with Russia to build a Trump resort in Moscow.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 1:05pm

    As far as spying on own citizens, the usa is the first and the worst of the supposed democratic countries. It has led to others doing the same yet still condems the likes of China, Russia, Iran etc for doing it as well. The 'follow my lead' seems to be the norm now with ordinary citizens only being on the receiving end, illegal and terrorist actions being ignored because pursuing the perpetrators is too costly, too lengthy, and too difficult in comparison. Basically, what is happening is what has happened before and tyranny is the order of the day, under disguise, as is usual. The main way to keep doing this is to control the Internet and restrict use by ordinary people and prevent news from being spread. Exactly what is going on now while at the same time removing the rights and freedoms from citizens to keep this momentum going. I dread the future. The 1% have what they have been after for decades and because of the way governments are controlled, it will be almost impossible to stop, let alone reverse

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    OldMugwump (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 1:22pm

    Are they going to build their own Great Firewall?

    If not, I don't really see the point of all this.

    I mean, there's this "Internet" thing. With that, anybody in Russia can read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal if they like (well, paywalls aside...)

    More importantly, they can read all the Russian news they like, as long as the sites are located outside Russia.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. icon
    Thad (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 1:26pm

    Re: Are they going to build their own Great Firewall?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 3:30pm

    Does anyone ever bother to ask why, after almost three decades of free speech and press freedom, does Russia suddenly start moving in the opposite direction? The answer obviously isn't due to changes in leadership. Could the timing have anything to do with Russian media companies (and those perceived to be) being required to register as foreign agents in NATO countries, along with other restrictions?

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/05/08/dc-radio-station-broadcasting-russia-ne ws-register-foreign-agent/1139148001/

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    That One Guy (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 3:46pm

    Makes sense

    Can't have anyone slipping through any information that might contradict the Official Statements after all, as clearly anything like that would present a dire threat to National Security and undermine the very country itself.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. icon
    That One Guy (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 3:53pm

    False equivalence

    World of difference between a private company/platform choosing who can and can not use their platform to speak from, and the government telling people 'if you want to speak you need to clear it with us first'.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 4:11pm

    Good, considering the foreign agent shit the US and EU pulled on Russian media. They should have just kicked CNN out altogether

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 5:29pm

    Re:

    Hi Ivan how’s the vodka today?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. icon
    Hugo S Cunningham (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 7:41pm

    Distinction is not always clear.

    A US platform might censor a US poster, not because his posting is offensive to intelligent US readers, but rather to please a censorious foreign government where they have business interests.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 8:04pm

    Re: Distinction is crystal clear

    A foreign government is by definition not the US government.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. icon
    Hugo S Cunningham (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 9:30pm

    Re: Re: Distinction is crystal clear

    I would rather face censorship by the US government than by a foreign government. The USA's First Amendment jurisprudence gives me at least a chance to resist,

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2019 @ 10:03pm

    Re: Re:

    Hi racist piece of shit, how's Uncle Sam's cock taste today?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. icon
    ECA (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 10:31pm

    Re: Censorship

    you dont think that we PAY them to do this??
    Close your country and EDIT our please....
    HOw many Computer games are NOW in Russia/germany/...
    What a way to spy...Let other countries do it, as its not illegal..

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    icon
    stephanie lotus (profile), 26 Jun 2019 @ 11:33pm

    Cosmetic Boxes UK

    The Cosmetic Boxes UK are aiding the top cosmetic brands to endorse their beauty and skin care range effectually.

    https://www.thecosmeticboxes.co.uk/

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. icon
    PaulT (profile), 27 Jun 2019 @ 12:42am

    Re:

    Why are idiots always obsessed with CNN? Are they too dumb to know about the number of competing outlets out there, or is it just shorthand for "anything but the propaganda station I personally favour"?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 6:15am

    Re: Censorship

    "What idiots. They should outsource their censorship to "private" companies as the good old US of A does."

    I am curious which private companies have been contracted by the US government to censor what people see on which websites. In addition, what specifically is being censored and for what reason(s).

    I doubt you have anything to post other than a bunch of talking points.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 6:18am

    Re:

    Wait - russia had free speech and press?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 6:20am

    Re: Re:

    Because they simply love that Conservative News Network broadcast stream of what you are supposed to hear.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 8:39am

    Re:

    why, after almost three decades of free speech and press freedom, does Russia suddenly start moving in the opposite direction

    When was that? Before the stone age?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 8:52am

    Re:

    "foreign agent shit the US and EU pulled on Russian media"

    Think I missed that story, must have been a doozy. What, did they have to register as a foreign agent?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. icon
    Zof (profile), 27 Jun 2019 @ 11:23am

    This is unheard of!

    How dare they demand that....

    https://www.wileyonmedia.com/2018/09/fcc-sets-october-12-2018-deadline-for-registration-of- united-states-based-foreign-media-outlets/

    "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a public notice setting October 12, 2018 as the initial deadline for “United States-based foreign media outlets” to file reports with the FCC. The reports are required pursuant to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA) and must contain certain specified information. The question whether an entity is subject to the NDAA’s reporting obligation requires a multi-faceted inquiry, and we believe that the universe of entities that must file reports with the FCC is likely to be relatively limited. Howev..."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 1:05pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Russians aren’t a race. Maybe you should lay off the industrial grade alcohol and switch back to sucking the drippings from wrung out bar mats as it seems to have addled your brain.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 1:06pm

    Re: Why you still here bro?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jun 2019 @ 2:15pm

    Cool your jets.

    Just because the US does it too doesn't make it a good idea or not hypocritical. Also, if you think there is no difference between the implications of what will happen to organizations that register with Russia vs the FCC, you would be extremely naive.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    Craig Martin, 18 Jun 2020 @ 9:15pm

    Re:

    Russian government is very conscious not take people, environment for granted. The other countries like US, Canada are not that much strict is policies.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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