BBC temporarily suspends journalists' work in Russia over new law
London, Mar 4: The BBC said on Friday that it had no choice but to temporarily suspend its journalists' work in Russia after the Kremlin brought in a new law that could mean a jail term of up to 15 years for anyone spreading "fake" information about the country's armed forces.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the legislation "appears to criminalise the process of independent journalism" and that safety of the British Broadcasting Corporation staff is "paramount".
It said that its news service in Russian will continue to operate from outside Russia.
The move follows a new law passed in the Russian Duma, the Lower House of its Parliament, on Friday, which warns of imprisonment if so-called fake news leads to serious consequences.
"It leaves us no other option than to temporarily suspend the work of all BBC News journalists and their support staff within the Russian Federation while we assess the full implications of this unwelcome development, said Tim Davie.
He added: Our BBC News service in Russian will continue to operate from outside Russia. The safety of our staff is paramount and we are not prepared to expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution simply for doing their jobs. I'd like to pay tribute to all of them, for their bravery, determination and professionalism.
"We remain committed to making accurate, independent information available to audiences around the world, including the millions of Russians who use our news services. Our journalists in Ukraine and around the world will continue to report on the invasion of Ukraine."
The new law is designed to give Russia powers to suppress information that it deems as "fake" about its invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a special military operation.
Russia's Upper House of Parliament approved the law on Friday, and it could take effect in the coming days after President Vladimir Putin signs it off.
Access to BBC websites had already been restricted in Russia. News outlets Deutsche Welle, Meduza and Radio Liberty also had their services limited, Russia's state-owned news agency RIA said.
Twitter and Facebook have both reported having their services restricted and deliberately slowed down.
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JD(S) warns of protest over rising drug menace in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (Secular) on Monday warned of launching a state-wide protest against the Karnataka government, accusing it of failing to curb the growing drug menace in the state.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, reacting to a recent case in which the Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Task Force busted drug manufacturing units in Bengaluru the regional party accused the state government of failing to prevent the drug menace in the state.
In a statement, JD(S) youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy reportedly said, “The state government has completely failed to prevent the drug menace in the state. Hence, the police from another state had to come.”
Nikhil also criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, taking a swipe at what he described as the government’s misplaced priorities.
Is the state’s Home Department reserved only for dinner and breakfast meetings? If the government further fails to initiate action against the drug mafia, we will have to launch a massive protest, he warned.
