Russia has labelled Reporters Without Borders “undesirable,” banning its operations and penalising Russian citizens who cooperate with it.
Russia has labelled Reporters Without Borders “undesirable,” banning its operations and penalising Russian citizens who cooperate with it.
Russia’s justice ministry announced on Thursday that it has designated the French-based press freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as an “undesirable organisation,” a label that effectively bans its operations within the country.
Under Russian law, organisations deemed “undesirable” are accused of undermining national security, and Russian citizens who collaborate with or provide funding to them risk fines or imprisonment of up to five years. The move adds RSF to a growing list of international groups targeted by Moscow, which already includes US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, environmental organisation Greenpeace, and London-based Amnesty International.
Founded in France in 1985, RSF campaigns globally for journalists’ rights and against censorship. The organisation has long been critical of Russia’s media environment, ranking the country 171st out of 180 nations in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. It also reports that 50 journalists are currently detained in Russia.
RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the designation.
Moscow’s latest move underscores the deepening rift between the Kremlin and international watchdogs, as the government continues to tighten restrictions on media and civic space in the country.
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