Russian Law Could Ban Foreigners Working In State Media

The law would target foreigners working in Russian state media.

Russia's State Duma plans to draft a new law by the end of next week that would ban foreign nationals from working at state-run media outlets.

Parliamentary deputy Mikhail Starshinov told journalists on January 11 that the legislation will prevent foreigners from "discrediting Russia" publicly.

Last month, a group of Russian lawmakers protested critical statements by the foreign-born, veteran Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner regarding Russia's new law banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens.

That law was introduced in reaction to the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which sanctions Russian officials linked to the 2009 prison death of whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and to other alleged human rights abuses.

Russian media have dubbed the potential legislation "the anti-Pozner law."

He holds Russian, U.S., and French passports.
Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS