Russia Bans Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Labels it 'Undesirable'

The move subjects RFE/RL staff and collaborators to potential criminal charges, marking a significant escalation in the Kremlin's media crackdown.

Russia has officially designated Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as an 'undesirable organization,' effectively banning its operations within the country.
The designation exposes RFE/RL staff, donors, and sources in Russia to potential criminal charges, with Russian citizens facing up to five years in prison for cooperation.
RFE/RL President Stephen Capus views the move as evidence of the Kremlin's intolerance towards independent reporting, considering it an existential threat.
The 'undesirable' label is part of a broader crackdown on media freedom in Russia, with more than 140 organizations now on the list, including other prominent news outlets.
RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been jailed in Russia since October 2023, facing charges of failing to register as a 'foreign agent' and spreading false information about the Russian army.