Photojournalists were banned from photographing State Duma sessions.

      Press photographers have been barred from plenary sessions of the State Duma. Today photographers were not allowed into the chamber, although they had previously been able to work from the gallery.

      As the State Duma press service told Kommersant, the gallery where photographers usually stood is now officially reserved only for camera operators from federal channels. A new working order comes into effect as of today.

      The day before, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin publicly criticized photographers, saying they, in his words, seek to portray deputies in an unfavorable light. He said journalists should change their approach to their work.

      United Russia had previously warned its deputies that photographers with telephoto lenses might be working in the chamber, and urged them to be more careful so as not to be caught in close-up.

      Previously the chamber had two galleries — one for photographers, the other for television crews. The gallery originally intended for photojournalists was closed several years ago, and photographers were then moved to the television operators’ area. Now that access has also been closed.

      Meanwhile, a similar ban has long been in effect in the Federation Council — photojournalists are not admitted to its plenary sessions.