Russia Tightens control over social media: bloggers will be obliged to spread propaganda
The Russian Federation Council is preparing legislative changes that will oblige bloggers and owners of large social media accounts disseminate propaganda content. We are talking about advertising the so-called «traditional values» and «patriotism».
What they offer
According to the initiative, bloggers and administrators of popular pages will have to:
accommodate propaganda advertising;
divert under it at least 5% of all advertising content.
The draft law is being developed with the participation of Council of the Federation of the Russian Federation and is seen as part of a broader state policy of control over the information space.
Who will be affected
It is expected that the new requirements will be applied:
bloggers with a large audience;
owners of commercially monetised accounts;
authors who cooperate with advertisers.
Failure to comply with the requirements may result in fines, blocking of content or restriction of activities on Russian social media.
Context.
The initiative is another step towards Increased censorship and government pressure on digital platforms in russia. Previously, the authorities have already obliged bloggers to register as «media», introduced the labelling of «foreign agents» and increased criminal liability for «discrediting the army».
Human rights activists warn that the new law actually turns bloggers into a tool of state propaganda, destroying the remnants of the independent online space.
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