(Reuters) – Russia’s Justice Ministry has designated the English- and Russian-language on-line newspaper The Moscow Occasions as a “overseas agent,” the publication mentioned late on Friday.

The “overseas agent” designation requires media organizations and designated journalists to make disclaimers about content material they publish and imposes strict monetary reporting and self-disclosure necessities.

In a press release reported by Russian media, the Justice Ministry accused the Moscow Occasions of spreading inaccurate details about the authorities’ choices, thereby creating what it known as a adverse picture of Russia.

The Moscow Occasions mentioned on its web site that “overseas brokers” laws “has been used excessively lately to focus on unbiased journalists, activists and NGOs.”

“The (Justice) Division’s International Brokers Registry lists the English and Russian variations of MT’s web site as being restricted, in addition to its social media pages, together with LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Telegram,” it added.

The publication’s web site has been blocked in Russia by state communications regulator Roskomnadzor.