Russia Declares Media Outlet The Insider a 'Foreign Agent'

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.