Russia says that Reporters Without Borders is a “unwanted” group
Russia has called Reporters Without Borders “undesirable” and has banned its work while punishing Russians who work with it.
Russia’s law ministry said Thursday that it has labeled Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a French organization that fights for press freedom, as a “undesirable organization.” This means that RSF can’t work in Russia.
Organizations that Russia considers “undesirable” are accused of threatening national security, and Russian citizens who work with or give money to them could face fines or up to five years in jail. RSF joins a growing list of foreign groups that Moscow is after. These groups include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded by the US, Greenpeace, an environmental group, and Amnesty foreign, which is based in London.
RSF is a world organization that was started in France in 1985 to fight for the rights of journalists and against censorship. The group has long been critical of Russia’s media environment. In its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the country was ranked 171st out of 180 countries. Also, it says that 50 journalists are being held in Russia right now.
RSF did not answer right away when asked for a word on the designation.
The latest move by Moscow shows that the gap between the Kremlin and foreign watchdogs is growing. This comes as the government in Russia continues to restrict the media and public space.
