OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly denounces Russian authorities’ restriction on freedom of the media and freedom of information

VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, strongly denounced today the media regulatory agency in Russia, Roskomnadzor’s (Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media) instruction imposing  severe restrictions on mass media’s  choice of sources of information.  

The Representative’s comments follow Roskomnadzor’s statement of 24 February, in which it demanded that all media outlets use only information from Russian official sources when reporting on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The regulator clarified that media outlets would otherwise receive hefty fines for the dissemination of “false information” and that their websites would be effectively blocked.

“Today’s decision by Roskomnadzor represents a culmination in a long series of governmental attacks on media freedom in the Russian Federation. This latest infringement on the fundamental right to freedom of expression amounts to the introduction of censorship,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the Russian authorities to immediately lift it and enable the free flow of information and media freedom in line with OSCE commitments and international obligations.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.