International News

Moscow, Nov 15 (AFP/APP):Russian MPs on Wednesday backed new legislation that could force foreign media outlets to register as “foreign agents” in a reciprocal response to US pressure on Kremlin-backed TV channel RT. Lawmakers approved amendments to broaden a 2012 law aimed at non-governmental organisations to include foreign media. Rights groups fear it could have a chilling effect on the ability of outlets to carry out independent reporting. The existing regulations force NGOs that have international funding and whose activities are deemed “political” to undergo scrutiny of their finances and staffing, and label themselves as “foreign agents” on paperwork and statements. The Kremlin praised parliament’s vote as allowing it to offer a “very harsh” response to attacks on Russian media abroad. “Any attempts to encroach on the freedom of Russian media abroad… will not remain without response from Moscow — without a very harsh response,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. Russia will be able to use the law “to give a timely retaliatory response,” he said. The law could be used against US media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which receive funding from the US Congress. Members of parliament have given contradictory statements on whether the law could apply to commercial TV network CNN.