Russia´s justice ministry on Tuesday named nine US media outlets including Voice of America as “foreign agents” after President Vladimir Putin signed a law last month allowing international media to be slapped with the controversial label. The 2012 law previously applied only to non-governmental organisations that had international funding. Those branded “foreign agents” have to present themselves as such on all paperwork and submit to intensive scrutiny of their staffing and financing. Many NGOs have closed down as a result, saying the measure made it too difficult for them to operate. Rights groups fear the measure applied to media could have a chilling effect on the ability of outlets to carry out independent reporting.

Source: Pakistan Today December 05, 2017 07:52 UTC