Russia labels Reporters without Borders an ‘undesirable organization’

Russia’s justice ministry said on Thursday it had designated the French-based international press freedom organization Reporters without Borders an undesirable organization.

Russia regularly labels organizations it says undermine its national security as “undesirable”. The designation means Russian citizens working with or funding such groups face up to five years in prison.

Previously designated organizations include US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, international environmental organization Greenpeace and London-based Amnesty International.

Founded in France in 1985, Reporters without Borders (RSF) advocates for journalists and against censorship worldwide.

RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The group ranked Russia 171st out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index this year, and has listed 50 journalists who are detained in the country.