Russia bans Facebook-Twitter and various media outlets
 |
| Getx24.com Russia banned facebook |
Russia has banned social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Several foreign media outlets have also been shut down. They announced this on Friday, local time. At the same time, the country is going to enact a law against the army with strict punishment for those who publish 'fake news
Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzar, said on Monday that social networking site Facebook was being banned for allegedly discriminating against Russian media. Roscomanadzar later said that strictures were also being imposed on Twitter. Facebook's affiliate Instagram is also banned.
Russia also imposed sanctions on a number of foreign media outlets yesterday. The BBC has stopped broadcasting in Moscow.
The Russian version of the BBC and other independent news websites are being shut down, Roscomanadzar said yesterday. Strict controls on the Internet were also announced. In addition, the independent news website Meduja, the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, the Russian-language website of the US-funded Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, and the Ukrainian media Savvodar have been banned from broadcasting.
Earlier in the day, Russian lawmakers agreed to a new law. Under this law, those who publish 'fake news' will be severely punished and fined. A statement from Russia's lower house of parliament said the new law provides for a maximum of 15 years in prison for any serious impact caused by the publication of fake news. Amendments have also been made to the provision of fines and imprisonment for those who would call for sanctions against Russia.
Following the passage of the law, Russia's Nobel Prize-winning newspaper Novaya Gazeta and business news website The Bell have said they will stop reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine out of concern for the safety of their journalists.
Following the passage of the new law, some Western media outlets have also stopped broadcasting in Russia on their own initiative. The US-based news agency Bloomberg said it would suspend the activities of its Russian branch.
A spokesman for CNN, another US media outlet, said: "CNN will stop broadcasting in Russia. We are constantly monitoring the situation and our next steps will be announced. "
In addition, CBS News and ABC News have also called for a halt to broadcasting in Russia.
Sources: AFP, Al Jazeera, The Guardian