Legislation has been introduced to Russia’s State Duma that prohibits Russian citizens and Russian companies from advertising with media outlets that have been branded “foreign agents”, Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on Thursday.
The term “foreign agent” can be applied to anyone the government decides is subject to foreign influence and is widely seen as a tool for political persecution and intimidation. Foreign agents are subject to various financial and professional restrictions.
“With this bill, we prohibit Russian individuals and entities, regardless of their ownership, from advertising on any platforms which belong to foreign agents — on their websites, blogs, social networks, etc. Accepting advertising from foreign agents will also be prohibited,” wrote Vasily Piskaryov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Corruption Control.
Volodin said that deputies consider it crucial to deprive “foreign agents” of all sources of income in Russia. He also said that “people are outraged” that “bloggers acting in the interest of unfriendly states are still making money from Russian companies.”