Incident
Russia: new laws penalize online "fake news" and "disrespecting authorities"
RussiaRSF 2026 rank: 172nd of 180
- Official labels
- Stage Pressure
- Sustained
Russia's parliament passed laws letting courts jail and fine people, including journalists, for posting information the government alone judges to be false, or for statements found to disrespect officials or state symbols online.123
What happened
On March 7, 2019, Russia's State Duma passed legislation permitting courts to jail and fine people who use the internet to spread what the law calls "fake news" or to disrespect government officials and state symbols, including President Vladimir Putin. Under the fake-news provisions, individuals, including journalists, could be fined up to 100,000 rubles, and companies up to 500,000 rubles, for posting unverified information that authorities determine threatens someone's life, health or property, or threatens mass public disorder. Separately, people found guilty of posting what courts call indecent statements about the government could face up to 15 days in administrative detention, with fines rising to 200,000 rubles and repeat violations carrying additional jail time. CPJ said the legislation was clearly aimed at tightening state control over independent media and pressuring journalists into restraining their own reporting.123
Sustained; the laws remained in force and were later expanded during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.123
What reason was given
Stated justification
What changed for reporting
The law gave authorities a standing legal tool to fine or briefly jail journalists and ordinary internet users over reporting or commentary the government alone determined to be false or disrespectful, without a specific factual dispute needing to be argued in court beforehand.3
Timeline
2019
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Vladimir Putin | other | President of Russia |
Sources
- Russia advances legislation on 'fake news' and 'disrespecting authorities'
- Russia Criminalizes The Spread Of Online News Which 'Disrespects' The Government
- Russia Passes Legislation Banning 'Disrespect' of Authorities and 'Fake News'
Claims and evidence
Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.
- Penalty structure under the new fake-news provision.
people found guilty of publishing "indecent" posts online...would face up to 15 days in administrative detention. Individuals, including journalists, who post "fake news" could be hit with fines of up to 100,000 rubles (more than $1,500)
Russia advances legislation on 'fake news' and 'disrespecting authorities', Committee to Protect Journalists, 2019-03-07.Claim 684, checked 2026-09-22. - The law's definition of what counts as fake news.
"fake news" as any unverified information that "threatens someone's life and (or) their health or property, or threatens mass public disorder or danger..."
Russia advances legislation on 'fake news' and 'disrespecting authorities', Committee to Protect Journalists, 2019-03-07.Claim 685, checked 2026-09-22. - CPJ's assessment of the legislation's intent.
We are extremely troubled by the legislation that cleared Russia's State Duma today, which is clearly aimed at tightening state control over independent media and intimidating journalists into self-censorship,
Russia advances legislation on 'fake news' and 'disrespecting authorities', Committee to Protect Journalists, 2019-03-07.Claim 686, checked 2026-09-22.