Since January 21, access to the balcony, from where photography was previously conducted, is now only open to videographers, and photography is strictly prohibited. The duration of these restrictions is not specified.
According to the publication, the initiative to impose these restrictions arose after some journalists took pictures at the first session after the New Year holidays, which caused dissatisfaction among several deputies due to how they were portrayed in the photographs.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin had previously criticized photojournalists, noting that they attempt to "snoop" and "depict participants in an unfavorable light" during sessions.
“When you find yourselves in various situations, notice that we never mock you or offend you. But when you capture moments from the balcony, those are probably the moments that also exist in your life,” he added.
