Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay called on authorities to investigate the killings of journalists Roman Nezhyborets and Zoreslav Zamoysky, whose bodies were discovered earlier this month in the Ukranian cities of Yahidne and Bucha.

"The importance of reporters’ work informing local populations and the world of events on the ground in times of war cannot be overstated and their safety must be respected, in line with international law and the Geneva Conventions," said Azoulay.

Russia is currently being investigated for war crimes over its treatment of civilians in its unprovoked war on Ukraine.

Also: Scott Pelley, Bill Whitaker Weigh in on Ukraine

According to the UNESCO, Nezhyborets was a video technician for TV broadcaster Dytynets while Zamoysky was a freelancer for various local news outlets, covering the war from his Facebook page.

The Committee to Protect Journalists cited a Facebook post by Nezhyborets April 6 that her brother was attempting to hide evidence of his work as a journalists when he was caught and taken away by Russian forces in March. He was later found in a shallow grave with gunshot wounds to his knees and his hands tied.

Zamoysky’s body was found on a Bucha street by Ukrainians after Russian forces withdrew, CPJ said.

Also: Advertisers Increasingly Cut Russia Media Spend

“We are profoundly saddened by the deaths of journalists Roman Nezhyborets and Zoreslav Zamoysky in Ukraine, and call on Ukrainian authorities to promptly investigate and determine whether they were killed in retaliation for their work,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in a statement.

According to CPJ, it has confirmed that at least seven journalists have died covering the war in Ukraine, not including Zamoysky and Nezhyborets given that CPJ is still investigating whether they were killed because of their work as journalists. ■

The Biden Administration has exempted equipment for Russian telecommunications and some internet-based communications from the U.S. sanctions on Russian businesses prompted by that country's attack on Ukraine. The goal was to keep Russian antiwar activists connected.

That is per an exemption issued by the Treasury Department that exempts services, software, and hardware for internet communications, according to the groups that pushed for the exemption.

The exemption does not cover electronic transactions from some foreign financial institutions and or from Russia's central bank or wealth fund, but does cover "all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the receipt or transmission of telecommunications involving the Russian Federation," that would otherwise be prohibited under the sanctions.

The Treasury move came after advocacy groups pushed the President for the internet carve-out concerned that the sanctions would disrupt Russian activists access to outside information. Vox, which reported on the letter, said the Treasury general order now allows transactions including "messaging, domain registration, email, and sharing photos or videos."

Access Now, which pushed for the general license exemption along with a coalition of groups including Digital Democracy and the Electronic Freedom Frontier (EFF), said the Treasury move "will make it possible for Russian independent media, human rights defenders, and antiwar protesters who depend on U.S. communication technologies to continue their critical work safely."

Russia has been censoring speech, online and otherwise, that does not toe the government line about the war and its causes. ■

FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel has told Congress that the FCC has begun an "internal assessment" of Russian ownership of U.S. telecommunications interests.

That came in written testimony for Thursday's FCC oversight hearing in the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

She said that was just one of the actions the FCC had taken in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

She also noted that the FCC is requiring new on-air disclosures of foreign-backed broadcasts, though ramping up that effort pre-dates the invasion by quite a bit and was tied to concerns about state-sponsored disinformation campaigns like those that could have impacted U.S. elections.

She also pointed out that the FCC had joined the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Shields Up program to heighten cybersecurity awareness and response in the increased threat of malicious cyber activity stemming from the Russian sanctions. ■

A fifth journalist has been killed covering Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Oksana Baulina, who was on assignment for Russian news site The Insider, was killed March 23 in Kyiv. The Insider reported that she was killed in the rocket strike on a shopping mall, according to her employer.

While Russia has denied it has been targeting civilians, its shells have been hitting schools, hospitals, homes and apartment buildings.

“This is another demonstration of the cruelty of Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has already claimed the lives of at least four other journalists," said the Committee to Protect Journalists' Gulnoza Said, Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. "Ukrainian and Russian authorities must do everything in their power to ensure the safety of journalists and all other civilians, and to thoroughly investigate attacks on members of the press.”

CPJ said that since Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law March 4 that punishes journalists' use of the terms "war" and "invasion" with up to 15 years in prison, hundreds of Russian journalists have left the country, with "no guarantee of safe refuge."

Before joining the news outlet, Baulina had worked for opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, but had to leave after Russia declared it an extremist organization. "We will continue to cover the war in Ukraine, including such Russian war crimes as indiscriminate shelling of residential areas which result in the deaths of civilians and journalists," the publication said.

Also killed in the conflict have been Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Kuvshynova, both working for Fox News; documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud; and Ukrainian camera operator Yevhenii Sakun. ■

The Association of National Advertisers says its members are increasingly cutting off business with Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.

According to a survey conducted March 14, 71% of respondents that had been spending on media in Russia reported they are either suspending that business or cutting their media spend there. That‘s more than double the 31% who said they were doing so in a survey conducted not long after the Feb. 24 launch of the war.

Also: ANA Backs Russia Sanctions

And it is more than just spending. According to the survey, 64% said they are “ceasing or scaling back operations,” also more than double the 31% who said they were doing so in the previous survey.

In the February survey, half said they were supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. In the March survey, 78.5% said they were doing so. Half the respondents said they had voice public support for Ukraine, compared to 42% in the earlier survey.

Also: European Union Bans Russia-Backed Media Outlets

“As the war in Ukraine continues to intensify, it’s clear that the resolve among the marketing community to band together to protest this inhumane invasion is stronger than ever,” ANA CEO Bob Liodice said.  “Every day marketers are not only voicing their concern, but also taking direct action by radically altering their presence in Russia. The ANA urges them to continue their humanitarian efforts in showing their support for the people of Ukraine.” ■

A U.S. journalist has been killed covering the war in Ukraine.

Brent Renaud, a Peabody award-winning video journalist working for Time Inc., was killed in Irpin, outside Kyiv, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which cited a Ukrainian police official and news reports.

Kyiv regional police chief Andriy Nebitov said in a Facebook post that Russian troops had fired on Renaud and a photographer as they were going through a checkpoint, killing Renaud and injuring  Juan Arredondo, described as a a Colombian-American photographer, but CPJ could not immediately confirm the details.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of U.S. journalist Brent Renaud in Ukraine. This kind of attack is totally unacceptable, and is a violation of international law,” said CPJ's Carlos Martinez de la Serna in a statement. “Russian forces in Ukraine must stop all violence against journalists and other civilians at once, and whoever killed Renaud should be held to account.”

Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, condemned the killing. "Journalists have a critical role in providing information during a conflict, and should never be targeted,” said Azoulay. “I call on the respect of international humanitarian standards, to ensure that journalists and media workers are protected."

UNESCO said Renaud had also worked for HBO and NBC in the past.

Time Inc. editor in chief Edward Felsenthal said the company was "devastated" by Renaud's killing. "Brent tackled the toughest stories around the world often alongside his brother Craig Renaud," Felsenthal said. "In recent weeks, Brent was in the region working on a TIME Studios project focused on the global refugee crisis. Our hearts are with all of Brent’s loved ones. It is essential that journalists are able to safely cover this ongoing invasion and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine."

While Renaud was first identified as working the the New York Times, the paper issued a statement saying he had not contributed to the paper since 2015 and that the confusion was because he was wearing a Times press badge from several years ago. The paper also called him a talented filmmaker and said it was deeply saddened to hear of his death. 

"The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) mourns the loss of filmmaker Brent Renaud, killed in Ukraine by Russian troops in what reportedly was a deliberate attack," the guild said in a statement. "The murder of Brent Renaud reminds us all of the mortal danger journalists place themselves in when covering war so the rest of the world can be aware of the horror and tragedy of combat, especially among the innocent. Further, it serves to illustrate the importance of a free and independent press, especially when Russia has made dissent and fair and open reporting on the fighting in Ukraine a crime punishable by prison.

"The WGAE, which includes many journalists among its members, sends it sympathy to Renaud’s family and joins the world in condemning his death, Russian censorship and the war that has so devastated the independent nation of Ukraine." ■

Nielsen said it is examining its operations in Russia at a time when several media companies have elected to shut down their activities there.

“Due to the escalating situation in Russia and Ukraine, Nielsen is actively working with its clients and vendors in Russia to pause new business and evaluating a plan for its existing operations in Russia,” Nielsen said in a statement.

Nielsen declined to elaborate on what was still operating in Russia. The company says it does not measure state-controlled media in the country.

On Wednesday, Discovery said it was suspending broadcasts of its channels in Russia.

Last week, CNN, Bloomberg and the BBC pulled their signals in Russia, citing new laws that make independent reporting a possible crime.

Meanwhile, one-quarter of the companies that advertise in Russia either suspended or reduced their media spending in that country following its invasion of Ukraine, according to a survey conducted by the Association of National Advertisers.

Also, the National Association of Broadcasters called on its members not to carry any state-sponsored programming tied to Russia. ■

Discovery said that it has decided to suspend the broadcast of its channels and other services in Russia.

Last week, news networks CNN, Bloomberg and the BBC pulled the signals they air in Russia. 

The move followed Russia enacting a new law that Bloomberg said turned reporters into criminals, making normal journalism inside the country impossible. 

In a filing with the SEC, Discovery said it does not believe that this action will have a material impact on its financial condition or results. 

Meanwhile, a quarter of the companies that advertise in Russia either suspended or reduced their media spending in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, according to a survey conducted by the Association of National Advertisers.

Also the National Association of Broadcasters called on its members not to carry any state-sponsored programming tied to Russia. ■

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the U.S.-backed international news organization, has closed their Russian operations. The decision came after the Russian government adopted a law potentially punishing journalists for not reporting the Moscow line on why Russia invaded Ukraine -- freeing Ukrainians from "Neonazis" and "drug addicts" -- with up to 15 years in prison.

But RFE/RL pledged to keep the news flowing and continue to report on the war (Moscow has said journalists must describe it as a "special military operation”) from outside its Russian offices, which have been closed.
Also: White house Slams Russia's Censorship of War Coverage

“This is not a decision that RFE/RL has taken of its own accord, but one that has been forced upon us by the Putin regime’s assault on the truth," said RFE/RL CEO Jamie Fly. "Following years of threats, intimidation and harassment of our journalists, the Kremlin, desperate to prevent Russian citizens from knowing the truth about its illegal war in Ukraine, is now branding honest journalists as traitors to the Russian state.” He said RFE/RL would continue to counter Moscow's "steady diet of lies" about the scope and impact of the war.

Kelu Chao, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees RFE/RL, VOA and other networks, said: “It is clear that by restricting access to RFE/RL and VOA’s fact-based reporting, the Kremlin hopes to keep its own citizens in the dark and to hide the truth. The people of Russia deserve to know the facts about their government’s attacks on Ukraine and how the world is reacting. USAGM will continue to use its resources to bring unbiased information to light at this crucial time,” she said. ■

Netflix, which had already stopped producing local original shows in Russia and acquiring local content amid the rogue nation's globally unpopular invasion of Ukraine, has also decided to suspend its streaming service in the country.

"Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia," the Netflix spokesperson said.

Netflix, which counts 222 million users worldwide, has fewer than 1 million subscribers in Russia. Netflix launched in Russia back in 2016.

Also read: Netflix and Other Streaming Companies Forced to Carry State Channels in Russia

Participation in the Russian market was reportedly already a source of internal friction for Netflix, with the streaming company forced to carry more than 20 state run channels as a condition for entry into the country. 

The Biden administration condemned Russia's passage of a law that punishes journalists for what the country said was publishing “false” information about its war against Ukraine, an effort to warp the definition of disinformation to censor media outlets.

The law would levy prison sentences of up to 15 years for anyone, professional journalist or citizen journalist, for spreading “false information” about the war, the White House said.

According to Interfax, the vote on the new law was unanimous and that it amends the criminal code to penalize “false information” about Russian troops, any “discrediting” of those forces or “calls for anti-Russian sanctions.’

Also: CNN Stops Broadcasting in Russia

“To hide the truth from its own citizens, Russia’s censorship agency has shuttered independent Russian media outlets, blocked social media, and restricted access in Russia to international news outlets,” said Emily Horne, a spokesperson for the National Security Council.

Committee to Protect Journalists executive director Robert Mahoney said Putin has “plunged Russia into an information dark age by criminalizing independent reporting of his war in Ukraine.”

Irina Borogan, co-founder of Agentura.ru, a London-based website covering Russia, told CPJ that under the law, journalists must call the war a “special operation” whose goal it is to “de-Nazify” Ukraine. “I understand for Western news [consumers], it sounds absurd or crazy, but it’s how it is.” ■

CNN pulled the plug on its broadcasts in Russia as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law making reporting a crime.

“CNN will stop broadcasting in Russia while we continue to evaluate the situation and our next steps moving forward,” a network spokesperson said Friday.

CNN still has journalists in Russia covering the country and the invasion of Ukraine.

Bloomberg and the BBC also stopped broadcasting in Russia.

“We have with great regret decided to temporarily suspend our news gathering inside Russia,” Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait said Friday. “The change to the criminal code, which seems designed to turn any independent reporter into a criminal purely by association, makes it impossible to continue any semblance of normal journalism inside the country.”

Bloomberg reported that the Russian legislation will impose prison terms of up to 15 years for people charged with spreading “fake news” about the military or calling for sanctions against the country.

Putin’s government has also been cracking down on independent Russian media outlets. ■

A quarter of the companies who advertise in Russia either suspended or reduced their media spending in that country immediately following its launch of an unprovoked attack on the independent country of Ukraine.

That is according to an informal survey conducted by the Association of National Advertisers of the 180 members who responded. A little less than one-quarter of ANA countries do businesses in Russia.

One-third of the respondents said they planned to either stop or scale back advertising there.

Also: NAB Urges Broadcasters to Drop Russian-Sponsored Programming

ANA, in releasing the survey results, urged all its members to support the sanctions being imposed by the U.S. and other nations and to “seriously consider taking proactive steps to demonstrate that their companies and brands are part of the global effort to end the crisis in Ukraine.”

Russia has reportedly been shutting down independent media outlets critical of the war — and is likely to pass a law that uses co-opts the “fake news” moniker to censor negative news — while framing the conflict in state-controlled media as Russia's response to a war against a country run by neo-Nazis (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish) and forced on Russia by NATO.

Also: EU Bans Russian-Backed Outlets

ANA also said the following were some of the responding companies’ suggestions as to what role marketing companies should play in such a crisis:

“We have a responsibility to be mindful of our activities during times of crisis. If we are connected to consumers and culture, we need to be thinking through the context within which our messages are received. Marketing also has a responsibility to be a force for good in these times.

“Help shape the narrative and ensure that media channels are being used appropriately.

"Whenever possible provide transparency and reliable information.

“Be transparent and aware about funding and the supply chain connected to the crisis. Also, be aware of how consumers and society are being affected and perceiving the crisis.

“Use marketing to deliver real consumer engagement opportunities that give people a voice and a way to help.” ■

The Committee to Protect Journalists said that two Danish journalists have been wounded in Eastern Ukraine and that it is "deeply disturbed" by Russia's apparent targeting of television infrastructure in a missile attack that killed at least five people and "knocked some television broadcasts off the air."

The Russian state news agency TASS had reported that the missile strike was to "thwart informational attacks against Russia."

CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program coordinator Gulnoza Said, said that the Russian military was trying to "deprive Ukrainians of information at a time when it is desperately needed" while putting journalist and civilian lives at risk.

CPJ is working to document journalist detentions and and other violations of press freedoms. It is also collecting observations of Ukrainian journalists.

For example, Olga Rudenko, editor of Kyiv Independent, an English-language Ukrainian news site, wrote: “The mood here is rather grim. Even when you make eye contact with strangers in the street, you have this feeling of anxiety and grimness because the general feeling is nobody knows where is safe to be right now.” ■

NATPE, which represents programming and media executives, said it will be banning Russian companies from its NATPE Budapest International TV sales marketplace scheduled for June 27-30 at the InterContinental Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, a neighbor of Ukraine, which is currently under siege from Russian forces in an unprovoked attack.

"The Ukrainian people have our full support over the barbaric and horrific invasion of their homeland by the brutal dictator Putin and his surrogates," the association said in a statement Tuesday (March 1). "We wish we could provide more tangible assistance, but what we can do is join the world community and prevent Russian presence from conducting commerce."

Also: MPA Condemns Russian Invasion

"We pray for the Ukrainian people and hope they continue their battle to an ultimate victory for their great, independent country."

The National Association of Broadcasters Tuesday urged broadcast programmers to pull the plug on any Russian state-sponsored programming, saying that while it backed free speech, it also backed private actors exercising sound moral judgment. ■

The National Association of Broadcasters is calling on its members not to carry any state-sponsored programming tied to Russia while suggesting there is not much of that out there. That request comes as Russia continues its assault on the independent country of Ukraine.

While NAB president Curtis LeGeyt said the industry group is a “fierce defender” of the First Amendment and the freedom to speak and broadcast views "both popular and unpopular," he said that did not prevent “private actors from exercising sound, moral judgment,” and signaled this was the time for broadcasters to do just that.

Also: MPA Condemns Russian Invasion

“To that end, given the unprovoked aggression exhibited by Russia against the free and sovereign people of Ukraine, NAB calls on broadcasters to cease carrying any state-sponsored programming with ties to the Russian government or its agents,” he said. He did not specify which broadcasts, but RT (formerly Russian Television) and Sputnik are two channels whose web distribution Facebook, Google and others have limited as state-backed media outlets.

“While we know that airings of such programs are extremely limited,” LeGeyt said, “we believe that our nation must stand fully united against misinformation and for freedom and democracy across the globe.” ■

Major video content companies represented by the Motion Picture Association have expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainians as they attempt to repel a Russian invasion.

MPA issued a statement late Monday as the Russian Army was moving toward the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Also: CTA Backs Russia Tech Sanctions

“The Motion Picture Association stands with the international community in upholding the rule of law and condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine," MPA said. "On behalf of our member companies, who lead the film, TV and streaming industry, we express our strongest support for Ukraine’s vibrant creative community who, like all people, deserve to live and work peacefully.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, working closely with our members and partners throughout the global creative sector.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is being hailed for his strong leadership during the crisis--including turning down an offer of escape from the Russians with the line "I need ammunition, not a ride"--is himself a former film producer and actor. ■

In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security’s warning about cyber-threats related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Federal Communications Commission has launched a proceeding to examine potential threats to the global internet routing system, including any equity issues that might implicate.

The FCC commissioners uninamously adopted a notice of inquiry into the security of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the internet's global routing system for data including email, e-commerce, banking, interconnected voice-over-IP service and 911.

The agency is looking to prevent bad actors from hijacking the protocol, which it said could expose web users to data theft, extortion, espionage and insecure transactions.

Also: CTA Pledges to Back Russia Tech Sanctions

The FCC has already warned communications providers to review their cybersecurity protections and practices, given that their communications networks are critical to transportation, gas, electricity, water and financial markets.

The FCC said Russian networks have been suspected of hijacking BGP to rout traffic through their networks under "unexplained" circumstances.

Among the issues on which the FCC wants comments:

1.) “Steps the Commission, in coordination with other federal agencies, could take to prevent BGP hijacking or otherwise promote secure Internet routing.”

2.) “Whether the Commission has a role in helping U.S. network operators deploy BGP security measures.”

3.) “[Its] authority to promote the security of Internet routing through regulation, including as it may apply to wireless and wireline Internet Service Providers, Internet Exchange Providers, interconnected VoIP providers, operators of content delivery networks, cloud service providers, and other enterprise and organizational stakeholders.”

4.) “Whether regulatory clarity could help network operators prioritize investments in the security of their networks.”

5.) “How our proposals may promote or inhibit advances in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.” ■

The head of the Consumer Technology Association said Friday (February 25) that it stood in solidarity with Ukraine and was fully behind the Biden Administration's export controls on communications equipment.

“The invasion of Ukraine is a tragic and illegal assault on the people and independent nation of Ukraine and an attack on democracy," said CTA President Gary Shapiro. "We call on Russia to stop its attack and end the needless loss of life and human suffering. As an American trade association, we believe in the power of democracy and the recognition of duly elected leaders. We applaud those who took to the streets in Russian cities to peacefully demonstrate against this action by their government."

As to the export sanctions meant to pressure Putin to stand down, Shapiro said: "The Consumer Technology Association fully supports tough sanctions on Russia. We will inform our members to comply with the new export controls issued in response to Russia’s actions. CTA is committed to serving as a resource for the administration during implementation.”

In addition to the restrictions on U.S. made telecom equipment, the sanctions package imposes "Russia-wide restrictions on sensitive U.S. technologies produced in foreign countries using U.S.-origin software, technology, or equipment, including on "semiconductors and telecommunications."

The Administration made clear that the sanctions are no short-term response. "The United States and our Allies and partners are unified and will continue to impose costs, forcing Putin to look to other countries that cannot replicate the financial and technology strengths of Western markets." ■

A former tech exec turned senator has officially cautioned edge providers against allowing their platforms to be used for Russian war propaganda, calling out YouTube in particular.

Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who co-founded Nextel, sent letters to Alphabet (Google, YouTube), Meta (Facebook), Reddit, Telegram, TikTok, and Twitter saying they need to make sure their companies are not used by Russia and Russia-linked entries, warning that influence operations are part of Russia's warfare playbook.

He cited what he said had been content on Russian-affiliated YouTube channels RT, Sputnik and Tass monetizing content about the Ukraine conflict, "including, somewhat perversely, an ad by a major U.S. government contractor. Meanwhile, Google’s wider ad network continues to support influence outlets such as Sputnik and Tass, directing advertising dollars from unwitting U.S. brands like Best Buy, Allbirds, and Progressive to entities whose ties to Russian influence activity has been well-documented for over five years."

Warner said social media should not abet Russia's efforts to "promote disinformation narratives that weaken the global response to these illegal acts."

He said while social media can be a valuable information tools and outlets for independent media, it can also be a "vector" for "misinformation and disinformation."

Warner asked the companies to, "at minimum":

• "Establish mechanisms by which Ukrainian public safety entities can disseminate emergency communications to your users in Ukraine; 
• "Furnish additional account monitoring and security resources to Ukrainian government, humanitarian, and public safety institutions to prevent account takeovers; 
• "Surge integrity teams, including those with language expertise in Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Romanian, and German, to monitor your platform for malign influence activity related to the conflict; 
• "Devote additional resources towards the identification of inauthentic accounts, and the removal or labeling of inauthentic content, associated with Russian influence operations; and 
• "Establish dedicated reporting channels for qualified academic, public interest, and open source intelligence researchers to share credible information about inauthentic activity, disinformation, and other malign efforts utilizing your platforms." ■

High tech communications technology exports to Russia is one of the categories subject to controls under newly imposed U.S. sanctions due to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.

President Joe Biden announced the sanctions Thursday in a speech to the nation. The White House said the sanctions would impose "devastating costs" on Russia.

"The unprecedented export control measures will cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports, restricting Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophying its industrial base, and undercutting Russia’s strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage," the White House said.

In addition to the restrictions on U.S. made telecom equipment, the sanctions package imposes "Russia-wide restrictions on sensitive U.S. technologies produced in foreign countries using U.S.-origin software, technology, or equipment, including on "semiconductors and telecommunications."

Also: CPJ Offers Advice for Journalists Covering Russian Attacks

The White House said that Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom have also pledged to take similar actions to isolate Russia from cutting-edge technology, saying: "The impact of these measures will be significantly magnified due to historical multilateral cooperation with a wide range of Allies and partners who are mirroring our actions..."

The Administration made clear that the sanctions are no short-term response. "The United States and our Allies and partners are unified and will continue to impose costs, forcing Putin to look to other countries that cannot replicate the financial and technology strengths of Western markets." ■

The Committee to Protect Journalists is pointing journalists toward its safety advice — in English and Ukrainian — on covering the conflict as journalists began reporting on the Russian attacks on Ukraine, which was being called a "full-scale" invasion.

In advance of the anticipated attacks, CPJ had talked with Anastasiya “Nastya” Stanko, co-founder and former chief editor of independent Ukrainian media channel Hromadske, about journalists' preparations for covering a war.

She said that in early January some local journalists were stocking up on helmets, vests, first aid kits and they had had training in how to get to bomb shelters in the case of attacks, while others were not making many preparations because at least until very recently they did not see much that had changed despite Western media reports of about a possible invasion. "Unlike their foreign colleagues, Ukrainian journalists haven’t been writing about an imminent war because we don’t see anything new in the situation," Stanko said.

Stanko did say Hromadske was looking for a new office since its existing one was "not very safe from bomb attacks."

Back in 2014 in what has been a years-long conflict between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, some local journalists were taken hostage by pro-Russian separatists and others killed or wounded in crossfire.

And in the now Russian-controlled Crimea, independent media have been shuttered and journalists imprisoned.

On Thursday, as the Russian attacks began throughout the country, CPJ was pointing to its safety advice. It steered journalists to links on "arrest and detention," "civil disorder" and "internet shutdowns." ■

Netflix and other larger streaming service providers operating in Russia will soon be required to carry 20 state-run channels.

According to the Moscow Times, starting in March 2022, foreign streaming companies serving more than 100,000 customers will be required to stream broadcasts from state-owned channels including Channel One, NTV and the Russian Orthodox Church's in-house network, Spas (which translates to "Saved). 

In late 2020, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, created a register of larger foreign service providers and began requiring them not only to carry state-run channels, but also conform to laws restricting movies and shows that depict such elements as "extremism" and even LGBTQIA+ content.

In November, Reuters reported that Russian officials were investigating Netflix for alleged violations of laws restricting "propaganda on non-traditional sexual relations" among under 18. Russia's public commissioner for protecting families claimed that some Netflix content with LGBTQIA+ themes was improperly rated suitable for those aged 16 and older. Netflix, which faces fines, has insisted that the content is properly rated. 

Also in November, Roskomnadzor began requiring Google, Apple and Facebook to open local offices in Russia to avoid being banned in the country. 

A report released by the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday (July 25), one of the more bipartisan committees in Congress, says the government should come up with an "overarching cyber doctrine." 

That was one of the recommendations in a voluminous report on Russian election meddling focused on infrastructure.

The report concluded that the U.S. should make it clear to its adversaries, in a sort of "this could mean war" declaration, that it will treat an attack on election infrastructure as a hostile act, whose response may not be limited to cyber activity. 

Further, it said, "[i]deally, this principle of deterrence should be included in an overarching cyber doctrine for the U.S. Government. That doctrine should clearly delineate cyberespionage, cybercrime, and cyber attacks.  

"Further, a classified portion of the doctrine should establish what the U.S. Government believes to be its escalation ladder in the cyber realm—what tools does it have, what tools should it pursue, and what should the limits of cyber war be. "[P]olicymakers should consider what steps the U.S. will need to take to outstrip the capabilities of Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and other emerging hostile actors in the cyber domain," it said.  

It also suggests the world community needs to get together to talk about cyber norms, "[j]ust as the international community has established norms and treaties about the use of technologies and weapons systems." 

It said the U.S. should lead the conversation about both the norms and the limits of cyber activities (say, declaring tampering with nuclear reactors off limits, as the world did with chemical warfare after the First World War).  

The report was released by Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.). 

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has asked the FBI and Federal Trade Commission to look into the face morphing FaceApp from a company headquartered in Russia, concerned the Russian government might be getting access to users' personal data. 

According to Appfigures, it is the top-ranked iOS App Store app. 

The app takes photos and makes the subjects appear older (see photos below) or younger or changes men to women, women to men, or the unhip to the hip. 

It also may be harvesting more data than users know, said Schumer. 

"In order to operate the application, users must provide the company full and irrevocable access to their personal photos and data," said Schumer. "In practice, providing this level of access to a user's data could mean that any photos taken with the application could be used publicly or privately in the future without a user's consent," he said. 

Schumer said it would be "deeply troubling if the sensitive personal information of U.S. citizens was provided to a hostile foreign power actively engaged in cyber hostilities against the United States." 

He wants the FBI to mitigate the risk of the app's aggregation data, and for the FTC to investigate whether there are "adequate" privacy safeguards for American users of the app, including government personnel and members of the military. If not, it wants the FTC to issue a warning to that effect. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that would route internet traffic through Russian servers, according to the Associated Press, which is either insurance against having a "hostile power" cut off Russia's access to the wider web, or a way to control information to its citizens.

The bill was reportedly first introduced in response to the U.S. response to 2016 Russian election meddling.

U.S. computer companies are definitely seeing it as the latter.

"The Russian government enacted legislation that will extend Russia's authoritarian control of the Internet by taking steps to create a local Internet infrastructure, shutting out citizens from the rest of the online world," the Computer & Communications Industry Association said Thursday (May 2).

CCIA has expressed concerns about what it sees as a growing trend by foreign governments to balkanize the Web, a point it made to the U.S. Trade Representative last fall.

"[I]n recent years countries have begun to adopt laws and regulations that hinder the further growth and cross-border delivery of Internet services. Under the guise of promoting domestic innovation, national security, and privacy protections, countries are increasingly adopting discriminatory policies that disadvantage U.S. technology companies," it told USTR.

It cited, among other things, the 2015 law that "requires all operators that process the personal data of Russian citizens to maintain databases located in Russia and the 2017 amendments to its Information Law that requires VPN operators from preventing users in Russia from accessing Web sites blocked in Russia.

"For years we've seen alarming censorship measures in Russia," said CCIA president Ed Black. "The legislation approved today is yet another step by the Russian government to restrict access online and artificially create borders on the Internet. We strongly encourage the international community and U.S. Administration to respond."

CCIA members comprise a Who's Who of edge providers, tech companies and others including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Intel, Samsung, Mozilla, Dish and Univision.

Top Democrats on the House Energy & Commerce Commission wantFCC Chairman Ajit Pai to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election via U.S. broadcasting.

At issue is Sputnik, a digital news/radio service reportedly funded by the Russian government.

Cable channel Russia Today has come under similar scrutiny from the same Democratic legislators, Rep. Frank Pallone (N.J.), ranking member of the Energy & Commerce Committee, Mike Doyle (Pa.), ranking member of the Communications Subcommittee, and former subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo (Calif.).

Related: FCC's Pai: Free Speech Is Under Siege

“Recent reports suggest that Sputnik was used as part of the Kremlin’s efforts to influence the 2016 election,” the House members wrote to Pai in a letter dated Monday, Sept. 18. “In Washington, D.C., listeners need only tune their radios to 105.5 FM to hear the Russian government’s effort to influence U.S. policy. Disturbingly, this means the Kremlin’s propaganda messages are being broadcast over a license granted by the FCC.”

They want to know whether Pai is currently investigating whether broadcast licensees are "contravening" the public interest by carrying Russian-backed efforts to influence U.S. elections, and if not, will it do so, and what steps it was authorized to take if the allegations proved true.

An FCC spokesperson had not returned a request for comment at press time.

President Donald Trump has added a special counsel to the White House staff as he continues to face scrutiny over allegations his campaign may have colluded with Russia during the run-up to the 2016 presidential election.

Trump tapped Ty Cobb, partner in the investigations practice of D.C. law firm Hogan Lovells, to be special counsel, even as the president continues to dismiss the drumbeat of media revelations as "fake news" driven by Democrats looking to delegitimize his presidency. Cobb's firm also has a strong communications practice.

Lanny Davis, former special counsel to President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal that resulted in impeachment proceedings, had some crisis management advice for Cobb in an op ed: "Tell it early, tell it all, tell it yourself."

Davis said Clinton agreed with that proactive strategy and that Cobb will need Trump to "authorize [Cobb] to call in all reporters, with all the relevant documents, dump them in the middle of a conference room, and tell them: Read them, ask me all your questions, and go write."

That sounds like a tall order for a current president who continues to attack negative stories as "fake news" that is a threat to the Republic.

Sen. Charles Grassley signaled that Congress and special counsel to the Justice Department Robert Mueller will be able to operate independently in their investigations of Russian influence on the presidential election and the firing of FBI director James Comey, who had been leading the investigation of former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's Russian contacts.

Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement to that effect after a closed-door meeting with Mueller, which also included ranking member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

”We had a very productive discussion with Special Counsel Mueller today on our parallel investigations to ensure each can proceed without impeding the other," Grassley said in a statement issued by his office. "We appreciate Special Counsel Mueller’s willingness to meet with us, and both parties have committed to keeping an open dialogue as we proceed.”

Faced with reports that his campaign may have collaborated with Russia on the leaks of information about his opponent in the presidential race, Donald Trump took to Twitter Thursday morning to brand NBC and ABC purveyors of "fake news," the latest in a string of such accusations.

"Just watched the totally biased and fake news reports of the so-called Russia story on NBC and ABC. Such dishonesty!," Trump tweeted.

The reports followed the testimony of FBI director James Comey that his agency has for several months been investigating whether there were such contacts, and a story Wednesday night by CNN that cited unnamed "U.S. officials" that the FBI had information "that indicates associates of President Donald Trump communicated with suspected Russian operatives to possibly coordinate the release of information damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign," saying that was, in part, what Comey was referring to.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, has said there is "more than circumstantial evidence" of collusion that is "worthy of investigation."

This week FCC chairman Ajit Pai said he did not think the media were the enemy of the American people, as President Trump has alleged, but added that the president appeared to be talking about "fake news."

Related: Trump Brands Media 'Enemy of the American People'

The Urban Dictionary now defines “fake news” as “a  term formerly useful for describing websites consisting entirely of intentionally fabricated news stories, but now used to describe virtually anything that does not mesh with one's own views.”

FBI director James Comey confirmed Monday that as part of its counterintelligence mission, the FBI was investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, including "investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and the Russian government's efforts." 

He said that would include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed. Comey was testifying on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election at a hearing of the House Select Intelligence Committee.

Comey said he had been authorized by the Justice Department to say that much but could not elaborate, including on who might be being investigated.

He said he has briefed Congress in detail about the investigation but could not do so in public. He also said he could not say how long the investigation would take but would "follow the facts wherever they lead." 

Comey said while it is agency policy not to confirm ongoing investigations, this was a special circumstance, and it would be in the public interest to do so.

Comey said the investigation began in late July but said it was impossible to say how long it would ultimately take.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) pushed Comey on whether reporters could be charged with a felony for publishing the name of the subject of information collected by intelligence agencies, subject to a court order, and unlawfully leaked--in this instance Gen. Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor. Comey would not weigh in, signaling that was still an open question, but in his experience that had not been the case.

Trey said the felonious dissemination of classified information is a crime.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) asked what the government's responsibility is in correcting false information in the media. Comey said there was a whole lot being reported that was, indeed, wrong, but that the FBI can't correct incorrect reports on classified information because it would be giving information to the other side. He said he can't tell those news outlets what was wrong or why.

Stung by reports of an intelligence briefing on unsubstantiated claims of Trump campaign cooperation with Russia going back years and salacious sexual allegations against the President-elect, Donald Trump fired off a series of Tweets late Tuesday (Jan. 10) and early Wednesday (Jan. 11), culminating with: "Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?"

Trump has challenged the intelligence agencies' general agreement that Russia intervened in the U.S. election in an effort to favor the Republican candidate.

CNN reported Tuesday that Trump and President Obama had been briefed about allegations that Russian operatives had "compromising personal and financial information" about Trump.

BuzzFeed published the entire report and its salacious and unverified details, saying it was letting the public judge for themselves the content in the report that intelligence agencies had reportedly summarized for President Obama and the president-elect.

The story came on the eve of Trump's first press conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m.

As the story was breaking, Trump took to Twitter with the all caps: "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!, followed by a string of other tweets, including:

"'BuzzFeed Runs Unverifiable Trump-Russia Claims' #FakeNews"

"Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is 'A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.' Very unfair!"

"Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!"

"I win an election easily, a great 'movement' is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!"

He then ended the tirade with the reference to Germany.

Discovery Communications and National Media Group signed a deal to form Media Alliance, a limited liability company that will distribute Discovery’s 11 pay TV networks and its Eurosport TV portfolio in Russia.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

“The agreement to form Media Alliance is a further example of Discovery’s global strategy to extend the reach of our high quality content across all categories and platforms. Russia remains an important market and we are confident that this deal will allow us to continue our growth there,” said Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa president and managing director Kasia Kieli in a statement.

According to Discovery, its portfolio of educational, scientific and factual channels are popular across Russia, with local favorites including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. Eurosport, Discovery’s latest addition, is the leading pay TV sports channel in the market. In recent years, Discovery has increased the number of local channels and productions in Russia and hit shows include Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, MythBusters as well as the forthcoming Racing Extinction,  recently featured at the Moscow International Film Festival.

Discovery North East Europe senior vice president and country manager Olga Paskina will become general director of the Media Alliance General Director in addition to her Discovery responsibilities. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership and operational management, having previously held leadership positions in Russian and international companies. 

“With this arrangement, Discovery will keep providing Russian citizens with the scientific, educational and factual content that we have broadcast for 17 years,” Paskina said in a statement. 

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