Read all about the conflict in Ukraine in our file.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Iris de Graaf, the Russia correspondent for the NOS, reported from Moscow on the Dutch news almost daily. The other Russia correspondent of the Dutch public broadcaster, Geert Groot Koerkamp, will remain, according to a spokesperson, ANP news agency writes.
De Graaf cites the recent decision by the Russian parliament to tighten the penalties for spreading fake news as an example of how it is made more difficult for foreign journalists. So is a imprisonment up to fifteen years possible for those who deliberately spread false information about the armed forces if it has serious consequences, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported Friday.
The British broadcaster BBC has stopped reporting from Russia because a new law “appears to criminalize independent journalism,” said BBC boss Tim Davie. The work of BBC News journalists and other staff is suspended. The BBC is doing this while awaiting the consequences of the new legislation. BBC News will continue to work on its reporting on and for Russia outside the country.
“The safety of our staff is paramount and we are not prepared to expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution just for doing their job,” Davie said in a statement. “I want to pay tribute to all of them for their courage, determination and professionalism.”
The Russian version of his news website may be banned by the authorities, but it can still be reached via the Tor project. The broadcaster also explains online how to circumvent this blocking.
Earlier, the BBC also reactivated two shortwave frequencies for Ukraine. According to the Dutch radio expert Hans Knot, it is 15735 kHz between 5 pm and 7 pm and 5875 kHz between 11 pm and midnight.