The Ministry of Justice of Russia on Friday declared the online news outlet ‘VTimes’ a foreign agent media organization. After this step, its investigation will be increased by the authorities. ‘WeTimes’ was founded last year by a group of journalists who resigned from Vedomosti, a top Russian business newspaper, after accusing their new editor of introducing Kremlin-backed censorship.
WeTimes and its publisher Alexander Gubaski have not immediately responded to this. Russia uses the ‘foreign agent’ label for organizations that receive funds from abroad and are believed to be involved in political activities. This word itself reflects a negative image.
Media institutions have received labels in the past as well
Under this, a disclaimer of 24 words has to be published, stating that their publication is done by a media outlet.
‘To complete the work of a foreign agent’ is being distributed. Last month, Russia applied a similar label to ‘Meduza’, a popular independent news site. The company had said that this would affect their business and journalistic ability.
The US broadcaster Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty was also labeled and had to pay a heavy fine for the violation. Explain that under Russian law, any person or organization receiving any kind of funding from abroad can be designated as a ‘foreign agent’.
11 killed in school attack
Let us know that in the last few days 11 people were killed and four people were injured in a shootout in a school in Kazan city of Russia. Interfax news agency had informed about this by quoting sources. Sources had said that eight students had also died in this firing incident.
Apart from this, a teacher also lost his life in this attack. According to the Interfax news agency, security forces surrounded an attacker on the fourth floor of the school. According to the information, he was arrested.
