"The order's wording is so simplified that anyone can be charged with violating it if they wish."
Media crackdown
Russia's new law, passed last week, already severely limits the freedom of expression in the country.
This law expands on previous restrictions and bans independent coverage of Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, or the entire space industry. Ars Technica reports that foreign agents will now be made of any journalists or media outlets who continue to cover the space industry. Ars Technica suggests that the law is intended to help Russia paint Roscosmos better and draw attention away form its declining status as a space leader.
Silenced Press
Journalists, bloggers, and all other members of the media would be put at risk if they disseminated any information regarding the Russian space program. Any media outlet that continues to do this now must include a disclaimer acknowledging their new status as a foreign agent.
Ars. reported that the order's wording is so simplified that anyone can be accused, Katya Pavlushchenko, a Russian space blogger, said.
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Pavlushchenko immediately tweeted that she would have her work suspended after the law was published. This indicated that the law is already having the desired effect of suppressing the press and the need to be amended.
Pavlushchenko said that several bloggers and scientists have told me they would pay more attention to foreign space activities. It will impact the coverage of Roscosmos. It will, for sure. They weren't negative about Roscosmos and did a lot to highlight its activities for the average person.
READ MORE: Russia orders its space reporters not to report on the space program [Ars Technica]
Roscosmos Official: Space Station Damage May be Irreparable
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