Prominent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta has ceased operations, accusing the Russian authorities and security services of forcing its closure. The paper, which has operated for three decades and become known for its investigative reporting on corruption and human rights, stated it was the victim of a “coordinated act” and that “human rights and freedoms have been eliminated” in the country. The shutdown follows the revocation of its license, blocking of its website, and the designation of several staff members as “foreign agents.” Earlier this year, a police search of the editorial office occurred, and veteran investigative journalist Oleg Roldugin was arrested on charges of unlawful access to computerised information. The paper had continued to operate in a reduced form, with readers circumventing official website blocks, but the loss of funding mechanisms proved fatal. Novaya Gazeta reported that six journalists connected with the paper have been killed for their work, including Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered 20 years ago this month while reporting on the wars in Chechnya. The closure comes amid growing pressure on independent journalism in Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent adoption of laws punishing dissent.
Our reading is that Novaya Gazeta’s closure represents a further constriction of independent media within Russia, directly linked to the government’s response to both internal dissent and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The accusations of a “coordinated act” and elimination of freedoms suggest a deliberate campaign to silence critical voices, evidenced by license revocations, website blocks, and the targeting of journalists. The paper’s continued operation despite obstruction indicates a degree of public support, but ultimately, financial and legal pressure proved insurmountable.
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