Russian authorities announced they were creating a list of individuals who are or have been connected to media outlets listed as “foreign agents”. Many independent media and journalists in Russia are already listed as “foreign agents”. Media groups expressed concern it would widen the list of “foreign agents” to all journalists working for the blacklisted media, as well as those media who collaborate or work with them. Critics said the list would further broaden the state’s crackdown on media and civil society. A committee at the Russian parliament’s lower chamber, the State Duma, prepared the bill, which was expected to be officially proposed for debate soon, according to the legislature’s website.

UPDATE: On July 14, Vladimir Putin signed the new foreign agent bill into law. According to the new regulations, journalists and other Russian citizens no longer need to have received money from abroad to be labelled a “foreign agent”: authorities will only need to determine that a suspect is “under foreign influence”. The law does not explain how to identify such influence. Anyone found to be a foreign agent will be forbidden access to state secrets, will not be able to sit in advisory councils at state or local level, or be a member of electoral commissions. A new, separate list of “foreign agent affiliates” will be created, which will include anyone working for “foreign agent” organizations (such as media) or organizations receiving money from “foreign agents”.