Putin’s Back: Russia’s lower house restricts Internet, media and activists

Has anyone else noticed that ever since we elected the guy who was going to heal the planet, end all conflict and make the world love us, the world has been busy going to Hell, along with America's foreign policy? Just curious, is all….

Russian lawmakers this week passed three measures to increase government control over the Internet, media and foreign-funded activist groups, despite widespread protests from Web professionals, journalists and human rights advocates.

A bill that criminalizes libel and imposes fines of up to $153,400 on violators, and a measure that requires nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, that receive foreign funding to register as "foreign agents," were approved by the lower house of the parliament Friday, the last day of the legislative session.