The Russian State Duma and Federation Council have approved amendments to the country’s Law on Mass Media.
According to Russia Profile, they put further limitations on foreign broadcasters operating in the country by requiring them to register as legal entities in Russia.
Such broadcasters would also have to apply for licences, hire staff for Russian-based offices and produce content on location, as well as operate under the same regulations as Russian mass media.
However, obligatory licensing of foreign channels would appear to run counter to the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, which Russia signed in 2006.
The Russian Media Law was enacted in 1991.