BBC reports that its Russian language news website has had record audience numbers since Russia invaded Ukraine. “Visitors to the English language bbc.com site from Russia were also up by over 250% last week”, BBC said. The company said it is trying to keep its news service accessible in Russia, following reports that it and German broadcaster DW have been blocked. BBC has decided to temporarily suspend the work of all its journalists in Russia.

Referring to a new Russian legislation with jail sentences of up to 15 years for spreading ”fake” information, BBC has decided to temporarily suspend the work of all its journalists in Russia.

“This legislation appears to criminalise the process of independent journalism,” director general Tim Davie said in a statement for the BBC news service.

“It leaves us no other option than to temporarily suspend the work of all BBC News journalists and their support staff within the Russian Federation while we assess the full implications of this unwelcome development.

“Our BBC News service in Russian will continue to operate from outside Russia.

“The safety of our staff is paramount and we are not prepared to expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution simply for doing their jobs. I’d like to pay tribute to all of them, for their bravery, determination and professionalism.

“We remain committed to making accurate, independent information available to audiences around the world, including the millions of Russians who use our news services.

International Press Institute reports that Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor is blocking the broadcasts of Russian media Dozhd (Rain)TV and Ekho Moskvy (Echo Moscow).

The Committee to Protect Journalists stressed that a proposed Russian legislation about fake news is a threat against free speech and independent media. deem to be false, about the actions of Russia’s armed forces.

“Russian legislation that threatens to imprison people for sharing so-called ‘fake’ information about the country’s invasion of Ukraine is an obvious threat to free speech and the independent press,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. “The State Duma should withdraw this legislation, and authorities must allow the media to freely cover all events related to the invasion of Ukraine.”

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IPI said its global network calls on Russian authorities to immediately reverse the decision to block broadcasting and website access of Dozhd TV and Ekho Moskvy”.

IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen said: “A few years ago, the idea of these major broadcasters being blocked within Russia would have been unthinkable. Today, both have been ensnarled in the Kremlin’s information war and silenced for their factual reporting about the invasion. This undisguised censorship is a grave attack on the freedom of the press and another sign of the efforts to create a blackout of information on the reality of the conflict.”