Russia backs jail time for 'fake' army news, restricts media:
Russian lawmakers approved legislation Friday to impose fines and harsh jail terms for publishing "fake news" about the army -- the latest move to silence dissent one week after Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine. The bill sets out jail terms of varying lengths and fines against people who publish "knowingly false information" about the military. "If the fakes led to serious consequences, (the legislation) threatens imprisonment of up to 15 years," Russia's lower house of parliament said. Amendments were also passed to fine or jail anybody calling for sanctions against Russia. The past year has seen an unprecedented crackdown on independent and critical voices in Russia that has intensified since the invasion.