Legislative Action on Foreign Agent Advertising
A government meeting of the Federation Council is set for Wednesday to discuss a bill that would ban advertising on behalf of foreign agents, whether individuals or legal entities. The discussion is reported by Interfax in reference to the parliamentary agenda, highlighting the bill’s potential impact on how foreign influence is disclosed and controlled in the market.
The proposed amendments aim to modify laws that govern the control of activities by persons under foreign influence and the advertising framework. Under the new rules, it would be forbidden not only to place advertisements on the information resources controlled by foreign agencies but also to advertise information resources that originate from foreign agencies themselves. The move broadens the scope of advertising prohibitions across digital and traditional media platforms.
The bill specifies that responsibility for violations will fall on both advertisers and the entities that distribute advertising content. Additional changes are being proposed to the Mass Communications Law, which would bar the placement of advertising from foreign agents or their information sources in mass media and on internet platforms. These provisions collectively aim to constrain foreign influence in public communications and commercial promotion within the country.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has previously stated that the proposed changes would apply to all platforms, including websites, blogs, and social networks. This indicates a comprehensive approach intended to close gaps that could allow foreign agents to reach audiences through various online and media channels.
The discussion comes after earlier proposals in the State Duma to prohibit loans to foreign agencies, signaling a broader policy agenda focused on limiting foreign influence across multiple sectors. Observers note that the consolidation of advertising restrictions with other measures reflects a coordinated effort to enhance transparency and national information security. In reporting on the agenda, Interfax continues to track how the bill evolves and what it could mean for advertisers, digital platforms, and media entities in Russia and for international partners engaged with the domestic market.