BERLIN, March 5. /TASS/. Germany’s ARD and ZDF leading TV channels has temporarily suspended broadcasting from their studios in Russia due to a new law on the activities of the media, according to the Westdeutscher Rundfunk public-broadcasting institution.
"The ARD and ZDF [TV channels] are examining the implications of the law, which was passed on Friday, and are temporarily suspending broadcasts from their studios in Moscow," the statement reads. At the same time, "both public broadcasters will continue to keep the audience updated on the developments in Russia and Ukraine," WDR noted.
The ADR channel’s studio in Moscow is managed by WDR.
Earlier, the US CNN television company said that it suspended broadcasting in Russia. The Bloomberg news agency also temporary halted the work of its journalists there. In turn, Deadline Hollywood announced that the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) channel stopped its work in Russia.
Russia’s Criminal Code was complemented by article 207.3 "Public dissemination of falsehoods about the use of Russia’s armed forces." It envisages a prison term of up to three years or a fine of 1.5 million rubles. Such a violation committed while performing official duties, for selfish reasons or out of political, ideological, racial, ethnic or religious hatred or hostility is punishable with a prison term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 5 million rubles. If such a fake entailed grave effects, the prison term may range 10 to 15 years.