Russia may soon impose even tougher restrictions on the permitted level of foreign ownership in its media.
According to RBC and AKTR, a group of deputies in the State Duma from the LDPR (Fair Russia) and communist parties has proposed reducing the current 50% limit to 20%.
Should their proposal become law, it would come into force by 2016, with all media owners required to comply by February 2017.
Although print is currently exempt from the 50% limit, the proposed 20% restriction would apply to all media.
The figure of 20% has been arrived at because once foreign interests hold 25% and above they have a blocking stake and can influence media policy.
Vadim Dengin, from the LDPR and one of the authors of the document, argued that the new limit would prevent foreigners from having access to the minds of people.
Other delegates have meanwhile pointed to restrictions on foreign ownership already in place in countries such as France (20%), US (25%) and Australia (30%).
On the other hand, there are also fears it could have a detrimental effect on the industry and wider economy.