SOTA, one of the last independent news outlets in Russia, doubles down on coverage
Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has sought to stamp out independent reporting on the war, prompting journalists to flee and newsrooms to shut down or to self-censor under threat of criminal prosecution. Remarkably, one local outlet has continued to produce robust reporting despite the repressive environment. SOTA, which counts a staff of 40 journalists and support workers,…
Russian journalists arrested, detained, charged, summonsed during anti-mobilization protests
Paris, September 26, 2022—Russian authorities must allow the media to report freely on protests against the country’s call-up of reservists to bolster its forces in Ukraine and stop using the threat of conscription against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At least three journalists were arrested, at least 16 more were detained, at…
Russian authorities detain journalists, media workers on extortion, fraud charges
Paris, August 23, 2022—Russian authorities should immediately release journalists and media workers recently arrested on extortion and fraud charges and ensure that the country’s judicial system is not used to silence critical voices, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Between August 1, and August 16, Russian authorities raided the homes of and detained at…
Russian SOTA journalist Pyotr Ivanov assaulted in retaliation for reporting
Paris, May 31, 2022 — Russian authorities should swiftly investigate the assault of journalist Pyotr Ivanov and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday evening, two unidentified men attacked Ivanov, a reporter with the independent news outlet SOTA, near his apartment in the northwestern Russian city of St….
Proposed Russian legislation threatens to shut down all independent media
Paris, May 18, 2022 – The Russian State Duma should withdraw a draft law that would facilitate the arbitrary shutdown of media outlets and increase the number of journalists prosecuted for sharing information, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. The State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s legislature, is set to consider legislation that…
Journalists detained, homes searched amid Victory Day celebrations in Russia
Paris, May 11, 2022 — Russian authorities should drop all charges and stop harassing seven Sota.Vision and Skat Media journalists and let the media work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Between May 7 and May 9, amid Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, at least seven journalists were targeted by Russian authorities with home…