Russian Newspaper Novaya Gazeta Forced to Close Amidst Ongoing Pressures

The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta is closing down, marking a significant blow to the country’s free press landscape. This decision comes after a period of intense scrutiny and legal challenges faced by the publication, which has been a stalwart voice for investigative journalism since its founding in 1993 ¹.

According to several outlets, Novaya Gazeta will cease operations on November 9, though this date is reported slightly differently by some sources ¹²⁴, with one source indicating a different timeline ³. The newspaper’s veteran editor-in-chief, Sokolov, was recently questioned by investigators regarding alleged unlawful use of personal data, adding to the pressures faced by the publication ¹²⁴.

Another colleague, Roldugin, faces charges of obtaining unlawful access to computerized information, further complicating the situation for Novaya Gazeta ¹²⁴. These legal issues have been compounded by the loss of six Novaya Gazeta colleagues who were killed due to their work, highlighting the risks journalists face in Russia ¹³.

The newspaper was also designated as a 'foreign agent' by Moscow, a label often used to stigmatize organizations and individuals seen as critical of the government ²³⁴. This designation, along with the revocation of its media license in the same year Russia launched its offensive on Ukraine, has significantly impacted Novaya Gazeta’s ability to operate freely ²⁴.

Novaya Gazeta’s production had already been reduced following Russia’s offensive on Ukraine in February 2022, reflecting broader challenges faced by the media sector in the country ²³⁴. Additionally, state authorities reportedly conducted a search at the home of the newspaper’s senior editor, though this detail is contested by another source ¹²⁴.

Roldugin is currently under house arrest until November 10, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Novaya Gazeta’s future ²⁴. The newspaper’s founder, Dmitry Muratov, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, has long championed the cause of free and fearless journalism in Russia ²³⁴.

In parallel to these developments, evacuations of residents from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine have begun, with the town’s population decreasing from 24,000 to around 2,000 ¹. This demographic shift underscores the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on civilian life.

What We Know

• The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta is closing down ¹²³⁴
• Novaya Gazeta will cease operations on November 9, though this is reported slightly differently by some sources ¹²⁴
• Veteran editor-in-chief Sokolov was questioned by investigators regarding 'unlawful use of personal data' ¹²⁴
• Roldugin, a Novaya Gazeta colleague, was charged with obtaining 'unlawful access to computerized information' ¹²⁴
• Six Novaya Gazeta colleagues were killed due to their work ¹³
• Novaya Gazeta was labeled as 'foreign agent' by Moscow ²³⁴
• Novaya Gazeta reduced production after Russia's offensive on Ukraine in February 2022 ²³⁴
• Roldugin is under house arrest until November 10 ²⁴
• Novaya Gazeta’s media license was revoked in the same year as the offensive began ²⁴
• Dmitry Muratov, former editor-in-chief, won Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 ²³⁴
• Novaya Gazeta was founded in 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet Union ¹
• Evacuations of residents from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine began ¹
• The population of Oleshky decreased from 24,000 to about 2,000 ¹
• One journalist was detained earlier in the year ²