BREAKING NEWS

Russian lawmakers back ban on 'fake news', insulting authorities

By REUTERS

JANUARY 24, 2019 18:42

MOSCOW - Russian lawmakers backed a proposal on Thursday mandating jail terms of up to 15 days for insulting authorities online and another prohibiting the spread of fake news, in measures the opposition says are aimed at stifling dissent.

The two bills passed their first of three readings in the 450-seat lower house of parliament with 332 and 336 votes respectively, TASS news agency reported.

One bill proposed introducing fines of up to 5,000 roubles ($76) or a 15-day jail sentence on people who express crude and blatant disrespect towards government agencies, the state, the public, the Russian flag or constitution.

A second bill proposes imposing fines of up to 5,000 roubles on individuals who circulate certain kinds of fake news and up to 1 million roubles on companies that do so.

The legislation, if passed, would target "inaccurate socially significant information" circulated as if it were true that creates a risk to people's wellbeing or the risk of a widespread violation of social order or security, the parliament said on its website.

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