Lindsey Pulse
US And Other Media May Have To Register As Foreign Agents In Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill allowing authorities to designate certain mass media outlets operating in Russia as foreign agents.
LEARN MOREPosted: 9:30 a.m. EST Nov 30, 2017
State-funded Russian news outlet RT may have a harder time reporting on Capitol Hill.
The Congressional Radio & Television Correspondents' Galleries executive committee unanimously voted to withdraw RT's credentials. RT reported Wednesday the committee sent a letter to its production company.
RT America had to register as a foreign agent in mid-November.
And foreign agents can't have press credentials. Rules state members can't be employed by "any foreign government or representative thereof."
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Tuesday registering as a foreign agent "does not restrict an organization's ability to operate."
But CNN points out having Capitol Hill press accreditation gives reporters better access to lawmakers and can lead the way to permanent White House credentials.
The withdrawal is effective immediately. RT's editor in chief condemned the decision and suggested the network is being discriminated against.
