The company, T&R Productions, is based in Washington and filed paperwork telling the Justice Department that its work benefits ANO TV-Novosti, the arm of the Russian government that broadcasts RT around the globe.

The registration is required for anyone who does work on behalf of a foreign government, political party or official in the United States. Other state-run news outlets, such as China Daily, are also registered under the foreign lobbying law, called the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

"Americans have a right to know who is acting in the United States to influence the U.S. government or public on behalf of foreign principals," acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente said in a statement. "The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing FARA and expects compliance with the law by all entities engaged in specified activities on behalf of any foreign principal, regardless of its nationality."