‘Information War’ Spurs Crackdown on Foreign-Owned Media in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law on Wednesday, October 15 that passed new impositions on foreign companies owning Russian media, reports The Telegraph.

Under the new law only up to 20 percent of any Russian media outlet can be owned by a foreign company. Previously, foreign ownership of broadcast media was limited to 50 percent, and there were no ownership restrictions on print media.

According to The Telegraph, the law will force many media companies, especially independent and liberal outlets, to sell off large chunks of their Russian assets by February 2017 to be in compliance. Several Russian editions of internationally-known magazines like Forbes, GQ, and Esquire, as well as independent daily newspapers like Vedomosti and The Moscow Times, are expected to be affected, reports The Telegraph.

Critics believe the law is aimed at eroding the “already sparse free media” in Russia, according to The Telegraph, while supporters say it will “safeguard the sovereignty” of Russian media.

Member of Parliament, Vadim Dengin, said, “The information war against Russia has its own laws, and has forced our hand.”

Keep reading:
The Telegraph – Vladimir Putin cracks down on press with new law against foreign ownership

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