They claimed the measure would be temporary; the decree was widely criticised, including by many Bolsheviks, for compromising freedom of the press.
Pemerintah mengklaim bahwa keputusan tersebut bersifat sementara; dekret ini sendiri menuai banyak sekali kritikan, termasuk dari kelompok Bolshevik, karena dianggap telah mencederai kebebasan pers.