The Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia is facing a petition to add staff from Dozhd TV, an outlet listed by the Ministry of Justice as an undesirable organization in the Russian Federation, to its database of extremists on the grounds of alleged promotion of terrorism and dissemination of information deemed false about the Russian Armed Forces. Dozhd TV has reported these developments to RT, the Russian state media outlet, prompting further discussion about media regulation and extremism laws as they apply to broadcast journalism within Russia.
Vitaly Borodin, who heads a political accountability and anti corruption initiative, proposed this step, arguing that the channel and its affiliates have engaged in activities that cross thresholds set by Russian law for extremist content and foreign influence operations. The suggestion has sparked debate about the proper use of extremism designations and the boundaries that govern media organizations in relation to national security concerns, with proponents stressing the need to curb alleged propaganda while critics warn against blurring lines between journalism and political action.
The request specifically targets Natalya Sindeyeva, the general director of Dozhd and a figure already recognized in Russia as a foreign agent, along with Tikhon Dzyadko, the editor-in-chief who shares the same designation, asking the Prosecutor General’s Office to classify them and other Dozhd journalists and anchors as extremist actors. This move raises questions about how foreign agent status interacts with extremism declarations, and what legal thresholds would justify such a steep classification for media personnel and the organization itself, including potential implications for reporters operating within the country.
Earlier this year, Sindeyeva faced an administrative Protocol for failure to label foreign agent status in August, illustrating ongoing regulatory enforcement against Dozhd that intersects with broader issues of information labeling and media transparency. The case highlights the persistent pressure on outlets that are subject to foreign agent requirements and how such designations can influence editorial independence, public perception, and the channel’s ability to operate within Russia’s evolving media landscape.
Previously, the Golovinsky District Court in Moscow ruled against a Dozhd journalist, Catherine Kotrikadze, who is also identified as a foreign agent, fining her a substantial amount for alleged violations of the law that governs foreign agents. This incident underscores the legal and administrative challenges faced by reporters who navigate Russia’s regulatory framework, with possible ripple effects on newsroom practices, training, and risk management for media organizations in the region. In parallel, discussions within the State Duma about restrictions on foreign agents, including proposals to prohibit loan access for such entities, reflect ongoing attempts to tighten controls over international influence and financial support channels for media companies and other organizations deemed unfriendly to state policy.