MOSCOW, June 10 (RAPSI) – The All-Russia People's Front, an organization linked to the ruling United Russia political party, announced on Wednesday that it would start blacklisting officials who refuse to address mass media requests and withhold information in violation of law.

The list will be available on the Interet and will be regularly updated, according to the organization.

The ONF has also proposed tougher penalties for violators.

Natalya Kostenko, head of the ONF Center for the Legal Support of Journalists, said the center’s active members are consulting State Duma lawmakers and members of the presidential administration on the possibility of amending the law to increase the penalties for officials who violate the law on the media.

Under this law, media requests for information are a legitimate way to learn about the performance of the authorities.

The Russian Code of Administrative Offenses specifies fines of between 1,000 and 3,000 rubles ($18-$54) for violators.