Democracy Continues to Shrivel in Russia

The enigma that is Russia for some is filling out step by step every day, giving pundits, world leaders, doubters, naysayers and the entire global community a clearer picture of the threat Moscow is posing to international peace, stability and security.

Russia, with its omnipotent leader Vladimir Putin, has set out on a dangerous course of global domination. Its invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Ukrainian land is but one recent example of its violent external expansion.

Domestically, the Kremlin and its so-called legislative bodies, which are merely rubber stamps for Putin’s whims, are tightening their grips on all forms of freedom of expression, even outlawing the LGBT community and arresting anyone wearing Ukrainian colors, thereby squeezing out the last drops of democracy from society. Non-governmental organizations, which are the foundation of democracies around the globe, have also come under fire with those receiving support from overseas subject to charges of treason.

Then today, a draconian law restricting freedom of the press via blogging was signed into effect by Putin. The law requires registration of this popular form of reporting in a list compiled by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskombadzor), which would partially equate them to journalists.

The law is included in the framework of an “anti-terrorist package” implying that bloggers are terrorists – and consequently could be enemies of the state.  The law pointed out that a blogger is a person who places universal-access information intended for a mass audience, on a personal page in the Internet. Bloggers, whose posts are read by more than 3,000 users per 24 hours, must be included in the Roskombadzor register. The law also introduces such a notion as organizer of the dissemination of information in the Internet.

The blogger may either file an application for registration on his own upon filling an e-form on a special website, or wait for a notification about the need to register from Roskombadzor.

The registered bloggers will be required to list information about themselves on their pages, prevent the use of the information for criminal purposes, avoid unverified information, intrusion into the private life and denigration of the honor of other citizens.

This stricture was condemned by civil rights experts around the world.

Remi Piet, assistant professor of public policy, diplomacy and international political economy at Qatar University observed in Al Jazeera: “Since the escalation in Ukraine in early spring, news websites have been under the close scrutiny of Roskomnadzor, especially those of independent media outlets and blogs of key opposition leaders. Several have been blocked since the beginning of the year, including the official website of Alexei Navalny, who finished second in the recent mayoral elections in Moscow, running on a political platform of the liberalisation of politics and fighting corruption. The website of opposition leader and former World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov, was also censored.”

It was certain that as Russia expands its anti-democratic policies and aggression, Putin would shackle the freest form of journalist expression – the blogger.

While it is a new phenomenon, blogging has contributed to some of the most insightful analyses of world events, especially those that threaten the safety of societies. They have become the bane of dictators around the world.

Hugh Williamson, of New York-based Human Rights Watch, called the law after it was adopted by the Russian parliament in April “another milestone in Russia’s relentless crackdown on free expression.”

Russian blogger Oleg Kozyrev opined that “every blogger might face a threat of criminal prosecution,” adding that he does not intend to register his Web site.

Kozyrev was further quoted as saying that he expected that many of his colleagues would resort to a Soviet-era habit of making their points elliptically to avoid outright confrontation with authorities.

“There is a tradition in Russian literature of fables, and of speaking figuratively and hinting,” he said. “They won’t say what they really mean, but people will guess.”

While it is a new phenomenon, it is a recognized craft that deserves protection, according to opinions expressed by United Nations officials.

Donna Ann Welton, deputy director for communications, United States Mission to the United Nations, pointed out: “As communications technologies evolve, we are reminded that all individuals are entitled to the same human rights and fundamental freedoms online as they are offline, and all governments must protect those rights regardless of the medium. We must also recognize the importance of journalists and we call on all governments to protect the ability of journalists, bloggers, and dissidents to write and speak freely without retribution.”

With Russian mass media – TV, radio and publications – forced to perpetuate lies and fabrications about internal events, Russia’s war with Ukraine, and its downing of MH17, Russians will have limited access to accurate, fair, balanced and credible accounts of what’s happening. Perhaps today’s media lies have contributed to Putin’s unbelievable high popularity – or perhaps even that’s a lie.

As long as Putin remains in power in Russia, all segments of Russian society will suffer. Ultimately, the international community will also suffer.