BBC refuses Russian request to remove web story in Kremlin media crackdown
The BBC has refused a request by Russia’s state media watchdog to remove an interview with the activist and artist Artem Loskutov from its Russian service website which the government deems “extremist”.
Roskomnadzor, the state-run media regulator, requested the story published on 31 July be removed from bbcrussia.com to comply with the country’s laws on combating extremism.
In the audio interview, Loskutov discussed a demonstration due to take place this month – the march for the federalisation of Siberia – media coverage of which has already been targeted by the Russian government.
Websites covering the march and Russian social network VKontakte have been blocked because it's claimed they call on people to participate in illegal activities after laws against protests were passed by Putin in July.
A BBC spokesperson said it had “no plans” to remove the interview from its website and the piece adhered to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.
“Mr Loskutov is an artist and activist known for organising events which are, at first sight, parodies of political activity, but which also bring out serious issues about life in Russia. Mr Loskutov's views represent his personal position.
"The BBC aims to present all sides of a story in an impartial, unbiased way, and we have also requested an interview with a Russian government official to explain their position on the planned march. Our editorial decisions are guided by the BBC's editorial guidelines and the story in question is in full compliance with the requirements set out by this document."
The Russian regulator told the BBC that access to the page would be limited in the country, according to acting head of BBC Russian service Artyom Liss in a blog post.
A separate report in the Russian newspaper Izvestia says the BBC’s entire Russian site could be blocked if it does not comply with the request.