Status: 03/28/2022 3:44 p.m
Russia loses another critical medium: the newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” is suspended until the war in Ukraine is over. According to the editors, the reason is another warning from the government.
The most important independent newspaper in Russia, the “Novaya Gazeta”, is suspended. This decision applies until the end of the Russian “special operation” in Ukraine, the newspaper said. According to a tightened media law, the war in Ukraine can no longer be called a war in Russia. The printed newspaper, the website and all activities in online networks would be discontinued.
Second government warning
The reason given by “Novaya Gazeta” was that the editors had now received the second warning from the media regulator Roskomnadzor. Two such warning letters from the authorities in Russia threatened the withdrawal of the license, it said. Accordingly, the newspaper is said to have neglected to mention the addition “foreign agent” in an article. Anyone who receives money from abroad as a non-governmental organization or as a medium, for example, has to describe themselves as “foreign agents” on instructions from the authorities. Many sufferers criticize the term as stigmatizing.
“Novaya Gazeta” is considered the most important independent newspaper in Russia. Its editor-in-chief, Dmitri Muratov, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his services to freedom of expression. He had publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Ukraine war.
After passing a new law restricting freedom of the press and freedom of expression, the newspaper had attempted a balancing act: in accordance with the new law, it had refrained from writing about a “war”. However, “Novaya Gazeta” has recently published extensive reports on the suffering of the people.
Selenskyj-Interview may not appear in Russia
She recently supported an interview by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy with independent Russian media, some of which are now forced to work from exile. Media regulator Roskomnadzor banned the interview from being published in Russia.
The Russian government puts pressure on the media in a variety of ways. Earlier this month, the Kremlin-critical radio station Echo Moskvy announced its closure.