Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta is shutting down permanently. The editorial board says state pressure forced the move.
The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta is closing its doors. Its editorial board confirmed the news on Friday. They cited heavy pressure from government authorities as the main cause.
Also, the newspaper stated that officials forced them to end all operations. The staff titled their final statement "We were killed." They blamed intelligence services for this outcome.
Next, the Russian government has increased its control over media outlets. This shift follows the start of the war in Ukraine. Authorities previously searched the home of the senior editor.
Furthermore, police arrested the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov. The outlet operated for 30 years as a voice for independent journalism. Now, the team will turn off their servers.
However, the state labeled the paper a "foreign agent" long ago. This tag helps the government stop dissent. It makes operating a news business very difficult.
Then, officials questioned Sokolov earlier this month. They linked him to a criminal case involving his colleague, Oleg Roldugin. Authorities arrested Roldugin in April on computer access charges.
Meanwhile, groups like Reporters Without Borders expressed deep concern. They noted that six staff members have been murdered over the years. The group also highlighted constant raids and legal threats.
As a result, this closure signals a major blow to press freedom in Russia. Only a few independent journalists remain in the country today. Censorship has risen sharply since the 2022 invasion.
Still, the newspaper tried to survive by cutting production earlier. The government previously revoked its media license. The paper once featured Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov as its leader.
Finally, the team plans to leave their office by November 9. They will disconnect all remaining equipment. This marks the end of a long era for Russian journalism.