New additions to Russia's list of "Foreign Agents" threaten press freedom

In Russia, more journalists and media outlets are being listed as "foreign agents." These additions are part of the government's increasing crackdown on the free press. As of October 8, Russian authorities have registered nine people, including seven journalists and writers and three organizations, as "foreign agents." According to PEN America, among those added to the list are Bellingcat, an investigative news site; and Caucasian Knot, an online news site.

The journalists, whose names now appear in the registry, represent RFE/RL, Current Time, Dozhd, and BBC’s Russian Service. Poet and RFE/RL journalist Tatiana Voltskaya, who spoke up against injustice in Russia, is also among the newly-registered journalists and writers.

The new additions to the “foreign agents” list came hours after Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, won the Nobel Peace Prize for the efforts to “safeguard freedom of expression.”

Organizations officially listed on the register are obliged to present themselves as foreign agents, label their products on television, radio, and online, and must report to the Ministry of Justice about their activities and spending. News outlets previously targeted have seen their sponsorships wane and their ability to operate limited due to the negative implications of the designation.