It seems that the year of Elections has also brought with it a year of protests Mass rallies and demonstrations have become a common sight across the world and Georgia is no exception. At the epicenter of the marches is this transcontinental country it's a foreign agent Bill protesters and thousands took to the streets again this week as lawmakers resume debate on a foreign agents law.

Thousands rally in Georgia against 'Foreign agents' bill

The Moscow Times, which is an English and Russian-language online newspaper, said late on Friday (Nov 18) that the Russian justice ministry has designated it as a "foreign agent". The justice ministry also added an artist and journalists to the list that it traditionally updates on Fridays.&nbsp;

The label "foreign agents" means the media outlet will have strict financial reporting and self-disclosure requirements. It also requires media outlets and designated journalists to place a disclaimer on items they publish.&nbsp;

As reported by local media outlets, the justice ministry in a statement accused the Moscow Times of distributing inaccurate information about decisions taken by the authorities. It said that the outlet is forming what it called a negative image of Russia.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/naked-bodies-of-russian-couple-found-in-indias-himachal-pradesh-probe-on-660125">Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on</a>

The ministry said that the publication "carried out actions aimed at forming a negative public image" and featured material written by other foreign agents.&nbsp;

The "foreign agent" legislation had been "disproportionately used to target independent journalists, activists and NGOs in recent years", said The Moscow Times on its website which is in English and in Russian. A part of its staff left Russia after the beginning of the offensive in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fukushima-wastewater-release-fumio-kishida-says-china-agreed-to-discuss-japanese-seafood-ban-660159">Fukushima wastewater release: PM Fumio Kishida says China agreed to discuss Japanese seafood ban</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Erdogan's tense visit to Germany: Overshadowed by Israel-Hamas war&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/erdogans-tense-visit-to-germany-overshadowed-by-israel-hamas-war-660114/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"The (justice) ministry’s foreign agent registry lists the websites of MT’s English and Russian-language editions — as well as its social media pages, including on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Telegram — as subject to restrictions," it added.&nbsp;

This move comes amid the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to curb dissent since launching the assault on Ukraine, with most high-profile opponents in exile or behind bars.

Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor had already blocked the publication's website inside the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Moscow Times, which is an English and Russian-language online newspaper, said late on Friday (Nov 18) that the Russian justice ministry has designated it as a "foreign agent".

The Moscow Times, which is an English and Russian-language online newspaper, said late on Friday (Nov 18) that the Russian justice ministry has designated it as a "foreign agent". The justice ministry also added an artist and journalists to the list that it traditionally updates on Fridays. The label "foreign agents" means the media outlet will have strict financial reporting and self-disclosure requirements. It also requires media outlets and designated journalists to place a disclaimer on items they publish. As reported by local media outlets, the justice ministry in a statement accused the Moscow Times of distributing inaccurate information about decisions taken by the authorities. It said that the outlet is forming what it called a negative image of Russia. Also read: Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on The ministry said that the publication "carried out actions aimed at forming a negative public image" and featured material written by other foreign agents. The "foreign agent" legislation had been "disproportionately used to target independent journalists, activists and NGOs in recent years", said The Moscow Times on its website which is in English and in Russian. A part of its staff left Russia after the beginning of the offensive in Ukraine. Also read: Fukushima wastewater release: PM Fumio Kishida says China agreed to discuss Japanese seafood ban Watch: Erdogan's tense visit to Germany: Overshadowed by Israel-Hamas war × "The (justice) ministry’s foreign agent registry lists the websites of MT’s English and Russian-language editions — as well as its social media pages, including on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Telegram — as subject to restrictions," it added. This move comes amid the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to curb dissent since launching the assault on Ukraine, with most high-profile opponents in exile or behind bars. Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor had already blocked the publication's website inside the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia adds The Moscow Times to its list of 'foreign agents'

Russia&#39;s justice ministry on Tuesday named nine US media outlets including Voice of America as &quot;foreign agents&quot; after President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing international media to be slapped with the controversial label.

The ministry said that US-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and seven of their media affiliates had been recognised as &quot;carrying out the functions of a foreign agent&quot;, in a statement posted on its website.

Putin last month signed into law hastily issued legislation allowing the measure to target media.

Russia said this was a retaliatory move after Kremlin-funded RT television registered as a &quot;foreign agent&quot; in the United States under official pressure.

Rights groups fear the law could have a chilling effect on the ability of outlets to carry out independent reporting.

Voice of America and Radio Free Europe began broadcasting to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, playing a key role in providing its citizens with uncensored news.

Both broadcasters had already been formally warned by the justice ministry that they risked recognition as &quot;foreign agents.&quot;

The justice ministry has now formalised the move, naming them and their affiliates, including Radio Free Europe&#39;s news outlets dedicated to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine, and the Caucasus.&nbsp;

They also include a television channel run jointly by Radio Free Europe and Voice of America called Current Time TV.

Speaking on Current Time TV in Russian, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty&#39;s president Thomas Kent said that &quot;as a result, the activities of our organisation can face even greater restrictions&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;So far we have no concrete information on these restrictions,&quot; the head of the US Congress-funded corporation said.

He stressed: &quot;We remain committed to continuing our work in journalism in the interests of providing precise and objective information to our Russian-language audience.&quot;

&nbsp;&#39;Threat to free media&#39;&nbsp;

The 2012 law previously applied only to non-governmental organisations that had international funding.&nbsp;

Those branded &quot;foreign agents&quot; 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.

The US State Department said last month that the new law &quot;presents yet another threat to free media in Russia&quot;.

It said it was &quot;disingenuous&quot; of Moscow to equate the move to RT&#39;s listing as a foreign agent in the US since Washington&#39;s measure &quot;does not restrict an organisation&#39;s ability to operate&quot;.

The head of the Russian upper house&#39;s commission for the protection of state sovereignty, Andrei Klimov, said the measure would be strictly enforced but could be reversed.

&quot;If (foreign media) try to get out of it, we will catch up with them anyway, we will force them to obey Russian law,&quot; Klimov told Interfax news agency.

&quot;If Washington comes to its senses and ceases pressure on Russian media, however, in that case we will also consider correcting our decisions.&quot;

Russian MPs are set to vote Wednesday on whether to ban journalists from outlets labelled as &quot;foreign agents&quot; from entering the State Duma lower house of parliament.

The ministry said that US-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and seven of their media affiliates had been recognised as 'carrying out the functions of a foreign agent', in a statement posted on its website

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 allowing international media to be slapped with the controversial label. The ministry said that US-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and seven of their media affiliates had been recognised as "carrying out the functions of a foreign agent", in a statement posted on its website. Putin last month signed into law hastily issued legislation allowing the measure to target media. Russia said this was a retaliatory move after Kremlin-funded RT television registered as a "foreign agent" in the United States under official pressure. Rights groups fear the law could have a chilling effect on the ability of outlets to carry out independent reporting. Voice of America and Radio Free Europe began broadcasting to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, playing a key role in providing its citizens with uncensored news. Both broadcasters had already been formally warned by the justice ministry that they risked recognition as "foreign agents." The justice ministry has now formalised the move, naming them and their affiliates, including Radio Free Europe's news outlets dedicated to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine, and the Caucasus. They also include a television channel run jointly by Radio Free Europe and Voice of America called Current Time TV. Speaking on Current Time TV in Russian, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's president Thomas Kent said that "as a result, the activities of our organisation can face even greater restrictions". "So far we have no concrete information on these restrictions," the head of the US Congress-funded corporation said. He stressed: "We remain committed to continuing our work in journalism in the interests of providing precise and objective information to our Russian-language audience." 'Threat to free media' 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. The US State Department said last month that the new law "presents yet another threat to free media in Russia". It said it was "disingenuous" of Moscow to equate the move to RT's listing as a foreign agent in the US since Washington's measure "does not restrict an organisation's ability to operate". The head of the Russian upper house's commission for the protection of state sovereignty, Andrei Klimov, said the measure would be strictly enforced but could be reversed. "If (foreign media) try to get out of it, we will catch up with them anyway, we will force them to obey Russian law," Klimov told Interfax news agency. "If Washington comes to its senses and ceases pressure on Russian media, however, in that case we will also consider correcting our decisions." Russian MPs are set to vote Wednesday on whether to ban journalists from outlets labelled as "foreign agents" from entering the State Duma lower house of parliament.

Russia declares 9 US media outlets as 'foreign agents'

In response to what has been&nbsp;termed as &#39;&#39;mistreatment of Russian media&#39;&#39; by US, Russia&#39;s justice ministry will start registering some foreign media as &quot;foreign agents&quot; this week, the RIA news agency reports quoting a source in the Russian upper house of parliament.&nbsp;

Nine US media outlets, including the Voice of America and Radio Liberty, are likely to enter the list of &quot;foreign agents&quot; to be approved by Russia&#39;s parliament, RIA reported quoting a source at the legislature&#39;s Federation Council chamber.&nbsp;

The Kremlin has said it fully understands why Russia&#39;s parliament plans to discuss banning representatives of US media organisations in retaliation for what it calls US mistreatment of Russian media.

Nine US media outlets, including the Voice of America and Radio Liberty, are likely to enter the list of "foreign agents" to be approved by Russia's parliament

In response to what has been termed as ''mistreatment of Russian media'' by US, Russia's justice ministry will start registering some foreign media as "foreign agents" this week, the RIA news agency reports quoting a source in the Russian upper house of parliament. Nine US media outlets, including the Voice of America and Radio Liberty, are likely to enter the list of "foreign agents" to be approved by Russia's parliament, RIA reported quoting a source at the legislature's Federation Council chamber. The Kremlin has said it fully understands why Russia's parliament plans to discuss banning representatives of US media organisations in retaliation for what it calls US mistreatment of Russian media.

Russia to register some foreign media as 'foreign agents' this week: Reports

Russia&rsquo;s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading a law that would allow the Russian authorities to designate foreign media operating in Russia as &ldquo;foreign agents&rdquo;, RIA news agency reported.

The US&nbsp;Department of Justice has required RT America, which has ties with the Kremlin-backed TV station RT, to register as a &ldquo;foreign agent&rdquo; after accusations by US&nbsp;intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in last year&rsquo;s presidential election.

Russia, which denies interference in the election, has said it would respond in kind to the U.S. action. A third reading is still required before the legislation passes on to the upper house of parliament for approval.

Russia's lower house of parliament passed the law saying the foreign media operating there will be termed as ' Foreign Agents '

Russia’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading a law that would allow the Russian authorities to designate foreign media operating in Russia as “foreign agents”, RIA news agency reported. The US Department of Justice has required RT America, which has ties with the Kremlin-backed TV station RT, to register as a “foreign agent” after accusations by US intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in last year’s presidential election. Russia, which denies interference in the election, has said it would respond in kind to the U.S. action. A third reading is still required before the legislation passes on to the upper house of parliament for approval.

Russia passes law to designate foreign media as 'foreign agents'

foreign-agents

Foreign Agents, News on Foreign Agents, stories on Foreign Agents, articles on Foreign Agents, Foreign Agents stories at Wion, Foreign Agents news, Foreign Agents latest news