Russia fines an independent radio station because of a f&@!ing hyperlink

The Moscow City Court has fined the online chief editor of Ekho Moskvy 5,000 rubles (almost $80) for violating Russia’s media laws by publishing a blog post by presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak on January 30 that contained a hyperlink to a video featuring obscene language. Vitaly Ruvinsky denies the charges, arguing that the radio station’s editorial board legally isn’t responsible for reporting on activity involving a presidential candidate.

Ruvinsky also says Ekho shouldn’t be fined for sharing a hyperlink to a video that it didn’t even host on its own website. The station’s chief editor, Alexey Venediktov, says he plans to appeal the matter to Russia’s Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and if necessary the European Court of Human Rights.

On January 30, Ekho shared a copy of a blog post by Ksenia Sobchak, which contained a hyperlink to a video showing a man in Grozny swearing at her.