Coronavirus: Russia Uses its Repressive Arsenal...

At the same time, press access to information was gradually restricted. Since March 17, journalists could no longer attend an event in the presence of Vladimir Putin without having taken their temperature at least three times . On March 19, foreign journalists were denied entry to the Russian parliament , and the courts began to prevent the press from accessing public hearings. While the Moscow court promised journalists written reports and video broadcasts “where possible”, the measure raises concerns about its arbitrary and not very transparent nature