CNN announced this Friday that it has temporarily suspended broadcast from Russia following Moscow has approved a law that stiffens prison sentences up to 15 years for “spreading false information”.
CNN will stop broadcasting in Russia while we continue to assess the situation and our next steps,” a spokesperson for the network told ‘TVNewser’.
CNN has thus joined other media outlets that have also decided to stop their activity inside Russia, such as the British network BBC, or the US agency Bloomberg, although they will continue to cover the Russian invasion of Ukraine from outside.
This legislation appears to criminalize the process of independent journalism. It leaves us no choice but to temporarily suspend the work of all BBC News journalists and their support staff inside Russia while we assess the full implications of this unwelcome phenomenon.” Tim Davie, in a statement released by the chain itself.
On the other hand, the chief editor of Bloomberg, John Micklethwait, explained that “with great regret” they have decided to temporarily suspend “the functions” of their news team in Russia.
CBC also withdraws from Russia
On the other hand, the Canadian network CBC announced this Friday the temporary cessation of its work from the field in Russia while they obtain “clarity” on the new legislation approved by the Lower House of the Russian Parliament.
The CBC is very concerned regarding new legislation passed in Russia, which appears to criminalize independent reporting on the current situation in Ukraine and Russia,” the network said in a statement.
In light of this situation and due to concerns regarding the risk to our journalists and staff in Russia, we have temporarily suspended our reporting from the ground in Russia while we get clarity on this legislation.” defend a free press” and “unhindered access to accurate and independent journalism” in Russia.
The Canadian chain has underlined its “pride” for the “professionalism and determination” of the journalists who have been working in Russia doing “vital work” to bring “all the elements of this story” to Canadians and the rest of the world.
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