Margarita Simonyan
RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan has commented on US Senator John McCain's criticism of Russia's draft amendment of a bill allowing to add foreign media outlets to the list of foreign agents.

"McCain has not read [George] Orwell or heard about 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' And if he has, he has not understood anything, of course," RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan said on Twitter referring to Orwell's allegorical novella "Animal Farm."

McCain said on Wednesday that it was important to distinguish between RT and such networks as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, adding that these and some other outlets worked to "seek the truth, debunk lies, and hold governments accountable," while accusing the Russian broadcaster of spreading propaganda.

The Russian Justice Ministry confirmed in the day that it had sent nine notification letters to media outlets, including Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), warning them about possible recognition as foreign agents.

The notification came in the wake of the decision by the lower house of the Russian parliament that passed amendments to a law that implies that they will have to publish a notice that their materials are provided by a foreign agent, report on their activities, submit information about the composition of their management and provide expense reports.

In order to come into force, the bill, which was described as a response to US Justice Department pressure on RT to register as a foreign agent in the United States, has to be brought to Russia's upper house of parliament for approval and then be signed by the president.

Commenting on Russia's response measures, the Kremlin spokesman has stated that any violations against Russian journalists "shall not remain unanswered."