Russia preps to block income of ‘foreign agent’ journalists
Berlin, February 11, 2025—After a year that saw Russia increase its pressure on independent media and journalists, authorities are seeking to tighten the squeeze on dissenting voices from March 1 by blocking those designated as “foreign agents’” from access to their earnings. The 2025 law requires those listed by the justice ministry as “persons under…
How Russia silences critical coverage of its war in Ukraine
Russia’s months-long jailing of journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva —released on August 1 as part of a prisoner exchange — was one of the most blatant illustrations of Russia’s muzzling of the press in the wake of its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has precipitated what a representative of the now-shuttered Russian Journalists’ and Media Workers’…
At least 4 journalists briefly detained in Russia over memorials to Navalny
New York, February 21, 2024—Russian authorities should refrain from detaining journalists who cover gatherings in memory of opposition leader Alexey Navalny and let members of the press report freely on events of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At least four journalists were briefly detained last Friday and Saturday while reporting on gatherings to…
Russia labels 3 more journalists – including Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov – as ‘foreign agents’
New York, September 8, 2023—Russian authorities should stop intimidating outlets and journalists by labeling them as “foreign agents” and let them work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On September 1, the Russian Ministry of Justice added three journalists—including Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov—to its list of so-called “foreign agents,” accusing them of helping…
CPJ calls for investigation into alleged poisoning of exiled Russian journalists Elena Kostyuchenko and Irina Babloyan
New York, August 16, 2023 — German and Georgian authorities should thoroughly and transparently investigate allegations that exiled Russian journalists Elena Kostyuchenko and Irina Babloyan were poisoned in 2022, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, an investigation by the independent news website The Insider stated that both journalists had experienced unexplained health…
Journalist Elena Milashina severely beaten in Chechnya
New York, July 4, 2023—In response to Tuesday’s attack on journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Aleksandr Nemov in the Russian republic of Chechnya, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The brutal and shocking assault of Russian journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Aleksandr Nemov in Chechnya serves as yet another reminder of the…
Russia bans independent outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe, adds to ‘undesirable’ list
New York, June 29, 2023—Russian authorities should stop silencing outlets by labeling them as “undesirable,” and let the independent news outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, June 28, the Russian general prosecutor’s office declared the activity of the outlet’s legal entity, BDR Novaja Gazeta-Europe, “undesirable” and…
Russian authorities revoke Novaya Gazeta’s online media license
Paris, September 15, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Russian Supreme Court revoked the online license of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper only 10 days after a Moscow court revoked the outlet’s print license, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “By revoking Novaya Gazeta’s online license only days after…
Russian authorities suspend Novaya Gazeta’s print license
Paris, September 6, 2022—Russian authorities should reverse a recent decision to suspend the printing license of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper and cease all efforts to censor the outlet and harass its staff, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, September 5, a Moscow court granted a request by Russian state media regulator…
Russian journalists labeled as ‘foreign agents,’ detained, and attacked while reporting
Paris, April 11, 2022 — Russian authorities should stop harassing members of the press and labeling them as foreign agents, should thoroughly investigate all attacks on journalists, and ensure that the media can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Friday, April 8, the Russian Ministry of Justice labeled three journalists—independent newspaper…