Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Denounces Latvian Ban on News Agency

Dmitry Kiselyov, the head of Russian state news agency Rossiya Segodnya

Russia says Latvia has refused permission to a Russian state news agency to open a bureau in the country — a case that Moscow says is open discrimination.

A Foreign Ministry statement Saturday called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to look into the matter.

According to the ministry statement, Latvia refused registration to Rossiya Segodnya on the grounds that its contents were contrary to the Latvian constitution. Latvian officials could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.

Rossiya Segodnya is the umbrella organization for the RIA Novosti and Sputnik news operations. It is headed by Dmitry Kiselyov, an outspoken critic of the West.

Latvia, which has a sizable Russian-speaking minority, last year banned broadcasts of Russian state television for several months.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

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.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more