Foreign media operating in Russia will be classified as “foreign agents” under new rules passed at second reading by the country’s lower house of parliament Wednesday, local news agency RIA reported.
The legislation is widely expected to pass a third reading in the Duma, before moving to the upper house for approval.
Under the new rules, Russia’s ministry of justice will determine which companies will be labeled foreign agents. Those affected will be compelled to declare full details of their finances, funding and staffing.
The measures were introduced in response to a move by the U.S. Department of Justice to force RT America, linked to the Kremlin-backed RT, to register as a “foreign agent” after U.S. intelligence officials accused Russia of seeking to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.