The War On News

A record of government actions against journalism and fact-based reporting, from the first press laws to today

Incident

Russia: entry bans, visa restrictions and bureau closures for foreign correspondents

RussiaRSF 2026 rank: 172nd of 180

Engraving of an empty press briefing room with a lectern and rows of chairs

Over several months in 2022, Russian authorities closed a Canadian broadcaster's Moscow bureau, barred dozens of named British and Australian journalists from entering the country, and suspended simplified visa rules for European journalists.1234

What happened

Across the spring of 2022, Russian authorities took a series of steps to keep foreign journalists out of the country. On May 18, Russian authorities moved to close CBC/Radio-Canada's Moscow bureau and cancel the visa and accreditation of its journalists, matching Canada's decision to bar Russian state television. On June 14, Russia barred 49 British citizens, including 29 named journalists, from entering the country. Two days later, it barred 121 Australians, including journalists from ABC News, the Sydney Morning Herald, Nine News and Sky News. Separately, President Vladimir Putin signed a law suspending simplified visa procedures for several categories of visitors, including journalists, coming from most European countries. Russian officials framed each step as a response matching measures taken by the country concerned against Russian state media or officials, rather than as a general press policy.1234

The entry bans and visa restrictions remained in force through 2022 with no indication of reversal in the source reviewed.1234

What reason was given

Stated justification

Russian officials presented the entry bans on British and Australian journalists as a response matching measures the United Kingdom and Australia had taken against Russian journalists and officials; a specific legal justification beyond that framing was not detailed in the source reviewed.1234

What changed for reporting

Named journalists from CBC, the BBC, the Sydney Morning Herald and other outlets lost the ability to report from inside Russia in person, and foreign outlets lost simplified visa access for future correspondents.1

Timeline

2022

16 June 2022
Russia: entry bans, visa restrictions and bureau closures for foreign correspondents

Who acted

NameRole in this incidentOffice at the time
Vladimir PutinorderedPresident of Russia

Outlets and journalists

NameKindRelation
BBCoutletaffected
CBC/Radio-Canadaoutletaffected

Sources

  1. Russia-Ukraine war press freedom watchCommittee to Protect Journalists, 2022-03-11, reporting. Source record
  2. Russia closes Moscow bureau of Canadian broadcaster CBCReuters, 2022-05-18, reporting. Source record
  3. Russia bans 29 British journalists, along with defence figuresReuters, 2022-06-14, reporting. Source record
  4. Russia bans 121 Australians including journalists and defence figuresReuters, 2022-06-16, reporting. Source record

Claims and evidence

Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.

  1. Putin signed a law suspending simplified visa procedures for journalists and other visitors from most European countries.suspending simplified visa procedures for designated categories of people — including journalists — coming to Russia from most European countriesRussia-Ukraine war press freedom watch, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-03-11.Claim 496, checked 2026-09-22.
  2. Russian authorities moved to close CBC/Radio-Canada's Moscow bureau and cancel its journalists' visas and accreditation.close the outlet's Moscow bureau and cancel the visa and accreditations of its journalistsRussia-Ukraine war press freedom watch, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-03-11.Claim 559, checked 2026-09-22.
  3. Russia barred 49 British citizens, including 29 journalists, from entering the country.imposed sanctions on 49 British citizens, including 29 journalistsRussia-Ukraine war press freedom watch, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-03-11.Claim 560, checked 2026-09-22.
  4. Russia barred 121 Australians, including journalists from four named outlets, from entering the country.121 Australians, including journalists from ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald, Nine News, and Sky NewsRussia-Ukraine war press freedom watch, Committee to Protect Journalists, 2022-03-11.Claim 561, checked 2026-09-22.