the Kremlin defends its law restricting freedom of expression in the face of an “information war”

The Kremlin defended, on Saturday March 5, the “firmness” necessary of his law repressing “false information” on the Russian army to face a “information warfare” conducted against Russia.

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Russia adopted on Friday a text sanctioning heavy penalties the dissemination of any information on the Russian army which would displease the power. Its adoption on Friday and its signature by President Vladimir Putin was “necessary and urgent”Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said..

Penalties, ranging from fines up to 15 years in prison, will be applied against those who broadcast “false information” about the Russian armed forces, a concept vague enough to open the door to widespread censorship. Russian and foreign media, including the BBC, CNN and Deutsche Welle, immediately announced that they were suspending their activities in Russia.