Russia: Novaya Gazeta shuts down as press freedom faces its darkest hour
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in condemning the decision by Russian authorities to force Novaya Gazeta, one of the country’s most respected independent media outlets, to cease operations in Moscow. After more than 30 years of investigative journalism exposing corruption, abuses of power and human rights violations, the newspaper announced that it would shut down its Moscow newsroom on 9 November.
On 30 October, Novaya Gazeta announced that it wouldshut down its Moscow newsroom following a coordinated campaign of repression of the Russian authorities and the Federal Security Service (FSB). In itsfarewell letter, the editorial team described how the authorities had progressively dismantled the newspaper’s ability to operate: blocking its online platforms, seizing its printing press, revoking its media registration and preventing it from publishing. The crackdown also included a 13-hour police raid on its premises on 9 April, during which computers and documents were seized, and the arrest of journalistOleg Roldugin, who faces up to six years in prison on alleged charges of illegally collecting and disseminating personal data.
“They killed us (…) on November 9th, we will turn off the lights in the home where we have lived for 30 years, shut down our servers, and leave. The newspaper no longer exists. The Russian authorities and the Russian security services have forced our editorial team to cease its operations,” the outlet said in the statement.
In September, Novaya Gazeta and more than 100 of its journalists and contributors were added to Russia’s “foreign agents” register. On 15 October, Roldugin’s home was also searched as part of the investigation. The authorities subsequently issued an eviction notice for the newspaper’s historic headquarters and disabled its donation system, cutting off its remaining source of funding. Since its foundation in 1993, Novaya Gazeta has been a leading voice of independent journalism in Russia, investigating corruption, abuses of power and human rights violations. Six of its journalists have been killed as a result of their work: Igor Domnikov, Yuri Shchekochikhin, Anna Politkovskaya, Stas Markelov, Anastasia Baburova and Natalya Estemirova.
Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the IFJ, said: “The pressure exerted by the Russian authorities on Novaya Gazeta, which ultimately forced the newspaper to cease operations, represents one of the most shameful attacks on one of Russia’s most respected independent media outlets. We fully stand with our colleagues at Novaya Gazeta, who have bravely held those in power to account for so many years, despite repeated attacks, the killing of some of their colleagues and numerous acts of intimidation. We strongly condemn the Putin administration’s continued intimidation of independent voices. Democracy depends on holding those in power to account, and this is precisely what Novaya Gazeta has always done. There must be no impunity for those who intimidate, attack or kill journalists”.
“We are heartbroken that it has come to this. For more than 30 years, the journalists of Novaya Gazeta have done remarkable work under almost unbelievable hardship: arrests, threats and the killing of their colleagues. Despite this, they never gave up their fight to inform the public and hold power to account. We strongly condemn the Russian government for silencing them. This is an extremely sad day for Russia and for independent journalism” said Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the EFJ.
