Russia Blocks The Moscow Times, Citing Discrediting of National Policies

By IndraStra Global News Team

Russian Prosecutor General's Office Bans The Moscow Times, Labeling it "Undesirable"
On July 10, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office (Generalʹnyy prokuror Rossiyskoy Federatsi) prohibited access to The Moscow Times, an online newspaper, declaring it an "undesirable organization." This decision comes amidst heightened tensions following Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, with authorities alleging that the publication has disparaged Russia's military actions.
The designation "undesirable organization" carries significant legal ramifications, including criminal penalties of up to five years in prison for cooperation or financial transactions with the outlet. The Prosecutor General's Office justified its decision by accusing The Moscow Times of undermining Russia's governmental decisions and policies, both domestically and internationally.
The Moscow Times, founded in 1992 and originally an English-language daily based in Moscow, transitioned its operations to the Netherlands in 2022 due to increasing restrictions on independent media in Russia. Despite the ban, the newspaper expressed determination to continue its journalistic activities, emphasizing that the move was not unexpected given previous government actions against independent media.
On March 17, 2023, The  publication announced that Russia's justice ministry had labeled it a 'foreign agent.' The ministry accused the publication of disseminating false information about government decisions, thus creating a negative perception of Russia. The Moscow Times argued that the foreign agent legislation had been applied "disproportionately."
The Moscow Times is currently owned by a limited liability company. Russian businessman Vladimir Jao, the CEO of an airline catering company, holds 51% of its shares. Svetlana Korshunova, the general director of the paper, owns 30%, while Derk Sauer, the original founder, holds a 19% stake.
 In a 2018 interview with Kommersant, Derk Sauer explained that the ownership structure is in place to comply with a Russian law preventing foreigners from owning more than 20% of any Russian media company, as he is a Dutch citizen. Sauer added that Vladimir Jao is an old friend and emphasized that Jao does not control the publication but is a partner.
This ban adds the publication to a list that includes other prominent Russian outlets like Novaya Gazeta, Meduza, The Insider, and Istories, all classified as "undesirable" and subject to similar restrictions. The newspaper's transition to digital formats, including a Russian-language service since 2020, underscores its commitment to maintaining a presence despite regulatory challenges.
The decision to ban The Moscow Times underscores the persistent efforts by Russian authorities to control media narratives, particularly in the face of international scrutiny. This move has significant implications for press freedom in the region, raising concerns as independent media outlets come under increasing pressure from the government. Such actions highlight the challenges journalists face in maintaining editorial independence and providing unbiased information to the public. The growing crackdown on dissenting voices suggests a troubling trend towards tighter state control over the media landscape in Russia.
IndraStra Global Staff has not edited this story, which is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.

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