World's press urges Russia to abandon harsh law

The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum today urged the Russian government to abandon a proposed law that provides for up to three years in jail for journalists who criticise public officials and categorises them as "extremists" (see July 7 posting, Russia's terrorism laws restrict media freedom). In a letter to Russia's president Vladimir Putin, the two bodies say the harsh law would "further undermine the role of the press to inform the public and lead to even greater self-censorship than already exists." It also reminds Putin of his remarks last month supporting press freedom. (Via wan-press.org)