The Kremlin will review the proposed amendments to Russia\u2019s law on \u201cforeign agents\u201d put forward by the publishers and editors-in-chief of independent media outlets, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti on Friday, September 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an appeal, it\u2019s much more constructive. This isn\u2019t a demand that was previously voiced, but a constructive proposal, therefore, of course, we will consider them [the amendments] in terms of their feasibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
On August 27, a number of independent media outlets made a public appeal to the Russian leadership for an end to the campaign against independent journalism and the repeal of Russia\u2019s laws on \u201cforeign agents\u201d and \u201cundesirable organizations.\u201d In response, Dmitry Peskov said that this appeal \u201cdeserves attention,\u201d but Russia\u2019s \u201cforeign agents\u201d law \u201cshould be and it will be.\u201d<\/p>\n
On September 1, the publishers and top editors of 22 independent media outlets published another appeal outlining 12 proposed amendments to the law on \u201cforeign agents.\u201d Among other things, they suggested changing the law so that \u201cforeign agent\u201d status can only be handed down by court order, removing provisions from the legislation that allow for its arbitrary application, simplifying the accounting procedure for \u201cforeign agents,\u201d and establishing a process for lifting this status altogether. The signatories also called for rescinding the current list of \u201cforeign agents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Demands from the free press Meduza joins Dozhd, Novaya Gazeta, Forbes Russia, and other news outlets in a public appeal for an end to the Kremlin\u2019s campaign against independent journalismEditors-in-chief of independent media outlets propose amendments to Russia\u2019s \u2018foreign agents\u2019 law\u2018Our readership is smarter than the Kremlin thinks\u2019 Meduza talks to the chief editors of blacklisted Russian media outlets about their plans for the futureThe Enemies List How the authorities divide the labor of crushing Russia\u2019s free pressSelective application Why is Dozhd labeled a \u2018foreign agent,\u2019 but not RT? Putin\u2019s spokesman weighs in.<\/p>\n