Internet-censorship bill moves forward in russian parliament.

Warning: RT is not a trustworthy news-source because they regularly lie by omission. Handle with care.
https://www.rt.com/politics/423942-duma-bill-fake-news/

The Russian lower house has passed in the first reading a bill that counters internet fake news by ordering fines of up to 50 million rubles (US$800,000) for refusal to delete illegal, false or slandering information.

Once the bill is passed into law, all owners of “public networks” or websites that attract over 100,000 visitors daily would have to delete fake news that touches upon important subjects, as well as any other banned topics, within 24 hours of receiving an official request. Network owners are also obliged to create and maintain a register of all such requests and present it to the state internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor, on demand.

...

Earlier this month, Boyarsky told reporters that “representatives of the internet industry” had proposed to amend the bill with paragraphs that would describe the personal responsibility of particular users who initiate or support the spreading of fake news and other false information. However, these amendments have so far not been included in the motion.


-------------------

A few interesting things:

1. The article does not mention who in the russian government has the authority to declare some information on the internet as false.
(My best guess would be the russian Attorney-General or someone similar. He already has the power to unilaterally declare any russian organization a foreign agent without hearing or trial.)

2. The bill not only attacks fake news: Posting something on "banned topics" would get you fined as well.

3. Please note how the bill puts the blame for spreading fake news on websites, not on users. This will lead to additional soft censorship because websites will preemptively censor their content to avoid trouble.