Russia: Press Freedom

(asked on 6th September 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the freedom of the press in Russia.


Answered by
Wendy Morton Portrait
Wendy Morton
This question was answered on 9th September 2021

Russia is a FCDO human rights priority country and we remain concerned that political freedoms in Russia are becoming increasingly constrained. The Russian state has a poor record of respecting freedom of expression, and enjoys a near monopoly over Russian language media across the post-Soviet space, which it uses to spread disinformation. Laws on 'foreign agents' and 'undesirable organisations' have been used to target journalists and independent media.

We believe that the interests of the Russian people would be best served by strong institutions, such as an independent judiciary and a free press, together with a safe political space for dissenting views to be heard and free and fair elections, in accordance with the international obligations to which Russia has committed itself.

Impunity for attacks on journalists in Russia remains a major problem. Journalists who seek to uncover issues like corruption are often faced with threats, violence and harassment.

We continue to urge the Russian authorities to fully investigate these cases and ensure the safety of all activists and journalists.

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