Russia Declares CPJ ‘Undesirable Organization’

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been added to the russian government’s list of ‘undesirable organizations,’ which already includes hundreds of other organizations, including press freedom and media groups.

‘Undesirable organizations’ is a label used to suppress the media, according to CPJ. As well as non-governmental organizations and other independent voices that the Kremlin considers a threat to its narrative control.

The russian prosecutor general’s office declared the CPJ an ‘undesirable organization’ on April 28. On May 12, the CPJ was officially added to the corresponding list of the russian ministry of justice. According to the CPJ website, the organization was not informed of the decision itself or the reasons for it.

“By including the Committee to Protect Journalists on the list of ‘undesirable organizations,’ the Kremlin is once again demonstrating its determination to suppress journalism and deprive russian citizens of access to independent information,” said Jodie Ginsberg, the director general of the CPJ. “Journalism is not a crime. The Committee to Protect Journalists will continue to document russia’s flagrant violations of press freedom both at home and abroad.”

Under the 2015 law, any activity by organizations with the status of ‘undesirable’ in russian territory is prohibited. The law poses a direct threat to individuals in russia who are considered associated with such organizations: they can face up to six years in prison and administrative fines. It is also a crime to distribute the organizations’ materials or finance their activities.

The CPJ does not have a representative office in russia and calls for the ban to be lifted.

NUJU Information Service