Russia Enacts Harsh New Laws Targeting Critics and Journalists, Drawing International Condemnation

January 15, 2025 – Russia – 

The International Press Institute (IPI) has strongly condemned a new set of laws passed in Russia that significantly tighten state control over dissent, particularly targeting independent journalists and civil society actors. These laws mark an alarming expansion of the Kremlin’s “foreign agent” framework and further criminalize independent reporting, deepening the suppression of press freedom in the country.

The legislation broadens the definition of who can be labeled a “foreign agent,” allowing authorities to apply the term to virtually anyone who receives foreign support or engages in vaguely defined political activity. Journalists, activists, and NGOs can now be targeted even without clear evidence of foreign funding or influence. The label brings with it harsh penalties, mandatory disclosures, constant surveillance, and the risk of imprisonment.

The new laws also strengthen existing statutes against so-called “fake news” and “discrediting the military”—offenses that have been increasingly used since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These laws criminalize factual reporting that contradicts the official government narrative, including coverage of the war, corruption, and human rights abuses. Punishments include heavy fines, long prison sentences, and the forced closure of media outlets.

IPI warns that the cumulative effect of these legal changes is a deepening of the climate of fear and self-censorship in Russia. Since the crackdown intensified, more than 1,000 journalists have fled the country, and many independent media organizations—such as Novaya Gazeta Europe and TV Rain—have been forced to suspend operations or relocate abroad.

The IPI is urging the international community to respond with pressure and support for Russian journalists under threat. They argue that these laws are part of a systematic strategy to silence dissent and monopolize the information landscape ahead of upcoming political events.

Russia’s new laws represent a dangerous escalation in its assault on press freedom. By expanding the “foreign agent” framework and criminalizing dissent, the Kremlin is isolating independent voices and accelerating the erosion of free expression. Journalists are not just being censored—they are being criminalized, forcing many to choose between exile and silence.

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Russia: IPI condemns new laws targeting critics, including journalists