Bloggers, journalists may now be labelled ‘foreign agents’ in Russia

Rights activists  warned of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia as MPs backed a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled “foreign agents”.

Legislators want to broaden existing legislation that forces foreign-funded media and NGOs to describe themselves as “foreign agents”, by including individuals.

The lower house of Parliament, the State Duma, approved the amendments without any debate in the crucial second reading on Tuesday.

The final reading will be on Thursday, after which the bill must go through the upper house and then be signed off by President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign agents, defined as involved in politics and receiving money from abroad, must register with the justice ministry, label publications with the tag, and submit detailed paperwork or face fines.

Via Al Jazeera