BBC News journalists in Russia have resumed broadcasting days after suspending work following the introduction of a tough new media law.
The law threatens anyone accused of spreading “fake” news about the Russian armed forces with up to 15 years in prison.
Numerous other western news media also ceased operations. On Tuesday, the New York Times said it was pulling its employees out of the country.
The BBC has decided after “careful consideration” to resume work, it said.
A statement said: “We have taken into account the implications of the new legislation as well as the urgent need to report from Russia.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to resume English language coverage from Russia tonight (Tuesday 8 March) after being temporarily suspended late last week.
“We will tell this crucial part of the story independently and impartially, while adhering to the BBC’s strict editorial standards. The safety of our employees in Russia remains our top priority.”
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Other news outlets that suspended operations in Russia late last week included US news channel CNN, Canadian Broadcasting Company, Bloomberg News, Spanish news agency EFE, Italian broadcaster RAI, and Germany’s ARD and ZDF.
On Friday, BBC director-general Tim Davie said he was not prepared to put staff “at risk of prosecution just for doing their jobs”.
The BBC’s resumption of broadcasting came as the New York Times announced its withdrawal.
A spokesman for the newspaper said: “Russia’s new legislation seeks to criminalize independent, accurate reporting of the war against Ukraine.
“For the safety of our editorial offices working in the region, we are relocating them abroad for the time being.
“We look forward to their return as soon as possible while we oversee the application of the new law.”
Access to BBC websites has been restricted in Russia and the Kremlin suspended BBC World News from broadcasting in the country over the weekend.
“We regret that our Russian audience is being denied access to trustworthy and impartial news at a time when it is needed most,” a BBC spokesman said at the time.
The company has provided information to people in Russia on how to continue accessing BBC News.
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