Russian regulator blocks website of German newspaper Bild

Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked Russian readers' access to the website of German newspaper Bild Interfax news agency reported on Sunday.

The Prosecutor General's Office called for the site to be blocked, according to Interfax. No reason was given and other German media outlets' websites remained accessible in Russia.

"The blocking of Bild.de by the Russian censors confirms our journalistic work for democracy, freedom and human rights. And it encourages us to give Russian citizens even more opportunities to inform themselves with news and facts beyond Russian government propaganda," Bild editor-in-chief Johannes Boie told dpa.

Boie, whose outlet is part of the Axel Springer media group, tweeted that readers in Russia should switch to the Bild channel on Telegram.

Russia's media regulator has recently cracked down on media coverage and a large number of websites critical of the government have been blocked.

The government has also blocked Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media platforms, classifying Facebook and Instagram as extremist.

The authorities had already increased the pressure on critical domestic and foreign media outlets before Russia began its war on Ukraine.

Since the start of the conflict, coverage has been closely monitored, with Russia officially calling the invasion a "special operation."

The Russian Foreign Ministry has created an entire section on its website dedicated to what it claims is "fake news", including that found in Western media.

Moscow also introduced a new media law in early March imposing drastic penalties for what it describes as misinformation about Russian forces.

The website of Russian TV star journalist Alexander Nevzorov was also blocked on Sunday. He has become a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he was initially among his supporters.