Members from the Media Diversity Institute (MDI), along with experts from other UK charities, have been banned from entering the Russian Federation in a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on 19 August 2024.
MDI is accused of ‘spreading misinformation to discredit the Russian state through mainstream media and online, and vainly trying to create conditions for destabilising the situation in the country (Russia)’. We strongly reject these accusations, which run counter to MDI’s principles and values.
MDI is an independent UK charity working to promote accurate and nuanced reporting on issues of race, religion, ethnicity, class, disability, gender and sexual identity in media landscapes around the world.
We are committed to the principles of freedom of expression and the values of diversity and inclusion as set out in international conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
As an independent, not-for-profit institute, we are free from any government and political influence.
We work to strengthen independent media and the critical thinking skills of citizens.
We serve the public interest and have no political agenda.
Targeting individuals associated with MDI is a form of pressure that we strongly condemn. We stand by our staff members and experts who have been involved.
For more information and interviews please contact:
Catherine Joppart, MDI Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 00 32 491 64 37 35
