#9 - Global Media Law or Ethics

 Media Law and Ethics in Russia 

Persons from the United States are usually unknowledgeable of the media laws used in other countries. Of course, U.S. citizens are privileged to have laws that protect their rights to obtain accurate information and speak their minds on specific issues; however, this is not the case in many countries worldwide. In some places, governments control citizens' rights to hear information and will spread misinformation to advance their agenda. Knowing the media laws and ethics used in other countries is vital to make changes, and those outside the country can highlight the issue.

Currently, the war raging in Ukraine has sparked questions regarding Russian news. Of course, there is misinformation on both sides; however, what is the government in Russia telling its citizens? According to UN News, the Human Rights Council pointed out a statement made by the UN rights office: 
“While the Government claims that the purpose of the new legislation is to protect the ‘truth’ about what it euphemistically calls a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine, in reality, the law places Russia under a total information blackout on the war and in so doing gives an official seal of approval to disinformation and misinformation,”

The law in question is the "fake war news" law created by the Russian government to "blindfold" the entire country from events taking place in Ukraine. The amendment is in addition to existing legislation that "criminalizes Russians" who spread "false information" about the Russian army. Breaking this law can result in a hefty fine of 1.5 million rubles ($18,000) and 15 years in prison. 

What do the citizens of Russia hear about the war? According to CBS News, Putin refers to the war as a "special operation." Using words such as "war" and "invasion" goes against the "fake war news" law. Insider News posted a video on YouTube about "How Russia is Lying to its Citizens about the War:" 



The lies the Russian government are telling its citizens are astounding. Although the citizens of Russia are being lied to, some citizens are searching for the truth. According to Protocol, the messaging app Telegram has become a popular place for Russian civilians and news channels to communicate information about the war. News organizations such as The New York Times and The Washington Post use Telegram to spread information on the war.  Telegram has said they are unsure why the government has not blocked the app and do not know if they intend to. The messaging app Clubhouse has also become a popular place for Russians to gain information from the Western World.

The war in Ukraine is devastating, evident in the footage and information the U.S. is receiving from the citizens of Ukraine. It is sad to think that Russian citizens are not receiving the same news as the Western World and that they do not fully understand what their government is doing to the people of Ukraine. Having laws in media that grant us privileges rather than restricts news is beneficial to an entire country. Helping the citizens of Russia learn the facts of the war is essential to change and the first step in shining a light on their government.






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