New York, February 16, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Russian authorities to reconsider designating international freedom of expression group Article 19 as “undesirable” and cease using the country’s “undesirable” law to intimidate organizations that report on press freedom violations in the country.
On January 23, the Russian general prosecutor’s office outlawed Article 19 by designating it an undesirable organization, according to the register of “undesirable” organizations published by the Russian Ministry of Justice and a Thursday statement by Article 19.
The Ministry of Justice added Article 19 to its register on February 8, and local media reported about the designation on February 12.
Organizations that receive the undesirable classification are banned from operating in Russia, and anyone who participates in them or works to organize their activities faces up to six years in prison and administrative fines. The designation also makes it a crime to distribute the outlet’s content or donate to it from inside or outside Russia.
“CPJ stands with Article 19 and condemns its designation as an ‘undesirable organization’—a decision which only underscores how much Russian authorities fear being held to account for their repeated and long-standing violations of press freedom,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “Authorities should immediately repeal the legislation on undesirable organizations instead of using it to stifle information they deem uncomfortable.”
Founded in 1987, Article 19 defends freedom of speech and information around the world. It is named after Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”
“The new designation for Article 19 means that any Russian who dares to hold a relationship with us, through partnership or programme work, or access materials we produce through media and the internet, is considered a threat to national security,” the organization said in its statement.
Since 2021, Russian authorities have labeled more than a dozen media organizations “undesirable,” including exiled broadcaster Dozhd TV (TV Rain), independent news outlets Meduza, Novaya Gazeta Europe, as well as investigative outlets iStories, The Insider, Bellingcat, and Proekt.
CPJ emailed the Russian Ministry of Justice for comment but did not receive a response.
Editor’s note: The eighth paragraph was updated to correct the number of media organizations labeled as “undesirable.”