DOJ Releases Letters on FARA on Foreign Media, Reston Translator

DOJ released letters detailing its rationale for requiring U.S. branches of five foreign media entities and Virginia-based Reston Translator register as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Reston Translator, which broadcasts Russia-funded radio station Sputnik, registered in 2017 (see 1712040054). Also doing so in 2017 was RTTV America, affiliated with RT, formerly known as Russia Today, and TV-Novosti. Three media entities registered in 2018: RIA Global, affiliated with Russian government-controlled news agency Rossiya Segodnya; RM Broadcasting, also affiliated with Rossiya Segodnya; and CGTN America, the U.S. bureau of the Chinese government-controlled China Global Television Network. DOJ touted its case to compel RM Broadcasting to register under FARA as an example of “renewed” enforcement (see 1905130035). Turkish government-controlled Turkish Radio & Television registered in 2019. DOJ’s release of the letters “is another in a series of steps designed to promote transparency by providing information on how we have interpreted FARA in particular cases,” a spokesperson emailed.