Murmansk news-online fined for article about Barents Observer lawyer

On 16 September, the Oktyabrsky Court of Murmansk fined the publication SeverPost under the article on 'abuse of freedom of speech' for a publication about the recognition of Barents Observer as an 'undesirable organisation'. Information about this appeared in the database of court decisions.

The basis for the fine was that the journalist did not indicate the 'foreign agent' status of Maxim Olenichev, who represents the interests of Barents Observer in court. The initiator of the administrative prosecution was Roskomnadzor, Russia's censorship agency. 

The amount of the fine is not specified mentioned in the court documents.

Previously, the same court fined the publication 'News of the Murmansk Region' for a similar violation for a publication about the singer Alla Pugacheva. At that time, the reason was the missing 'foreign agent' label for her husband Maxim Galkin.

The article of the Administrative Offences Code of the Russian Federation on 'abuse of freedom of mass information' has been in effect since 2002. Over the years it has turned into a tool of pressure on the media. 

It is applied, among other things, as a sanction for publications about 'extremists' and 'terrorists' without appropriate labels, as well as for the absence of labelling for 'foreign agents'.

Fines vary: for journalists and editors — from 2 to 5 thousand roubles, for publications — up to 50 thousand. In case of repeated violations, the amounts increase significantly, and for legal entities can reach millions of roubles.

The Prosecutor General's Office recognised Barents Observer as an 'undesirable organisation' in February this year. The editorial team did not agree with this decision and filed a lawsuit against the department. However, the Tverskoy District Court in Moscow sided with the Prosecutor General's Office. Barents Observer is currently appealing this decision.