President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed into law new rules on international media organisations present in Russia being termed "foreign agents", following US pressure on the Kremlin-backed RT television channel. Already approved by both houses of parliament, the legislation was published on the Russian authorities' official website and comes into force immediately.
The law allows any international media outlet operating in Russia to be classified under the controversial foreign agent label by the Ministry of Justice. The law is in retaliation to the United States registering Moscow-controlled RT Television by the same term. The Kremlin's council for human rights has denounced the bill, saying it was vaguely worded and difficult to reasonably enforce.
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