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Fake News or the Truth? Russia Cracks Down on Virus Postings

Associated Press

   MOSCOW - Two weeks ago, an opposition-leaning radio station in Russia
   interviewed political analyst Valery Solovei, who alleged the
   government was lying when it said no one had died in the country from
   the coronavirus.

   Solovei told radio station Echo Moskvy at least 1,600 people might have
   died since mid-January. Russia's media and internet watchdog,
   Roscomnadzor, quickly pressured the station to delete the interview
   from its website.

   The demand was part of a widespread government campaign against what
   authorities called "fake news" about the pandemic.

   On Tuesday, Russian lawmakers began putting some teeth behind the
   campaign, approving fines of up to $25,000 and prison terms of up to
   five years for anyone who spreads what is deemed to be false
   information. Media outlets will be fined up to $127,000 if they
   disseminate disinformation about the outbreak.

   Lawmakers rushed the bill through all three readings in just one day
   after President Vladimir Putin spoke about the need to counter
   "provocations, stupid gossip and malicious lies" about the outbreak.

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