Russia's Defense Ministry has completed work on its own information agency, Zvezda, RIA Novosti reported Thursday.
Irina Rossius, the former press secretary for the Emergency Situations Ministry, will head the new agency, which shares its name with a separate state-run television channel and radio station, the news agency reported, citing a source in the Defense Ministry.
The news agency's focus will be military news, and the primary target audience will be Internet users. About 500 people will be employed on Zvezda's staff.
The report did not say when the agency would be launched.
The ministry announced its decision to set up Zvezda last December, though the finish date — early 2014 — was pushed back due to delays.
See also:
Russian Defense Ministry to Establish Military Zone in the Arctic
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
