Russia Declares Media Outlet The Insider a 'Foreign Agent'
Voice of America
MOSCOW - Russia declared investigative media outlet The Insider and five individual journalists "foreign agents" on Friday, part of what Kremlin opponents say is a crackdown on independent media before an election.
The government, which denies a crackdown is under way, uses the "foreign agent" designation to label foreign-funded organizations that it says are engaged in political activity. The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny. The Insider, which was added to a justice ministry list of "foreign agents," has worked with investigative website Bellingcat on projects including an investigation into what Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says was an attempt to kill him.FILE - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi's visit in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released by by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), June 21, 2019. A news program broadcasts file images of a rocket launch by North Korea, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 28, 2024. A rocket launched by North Korea to deploy the country's second spy satellite exploded shortly after liftoff on May 27, state media reported.
A man walks past election posters of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), as South Africa prepares for the May 29 general elections, in Soweto, May 24, 2024. African National Congress (ANC) supporters sing songs during the political party's final rally ahead of the upcoming election at FNB stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. May 25, 2024.