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Russia's Novaya Gazeta says it is shutting down, claims authorities forced editorial staff to cease work
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The Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitri Muratow, announced it is shutting down after more than 30 years of operation under intense pressure from Russian authorities. In a statement titled "They killed us," the outlet said Russian authorities and security services forced the editorial staff to cease work, with operations ending on November 9. Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov repeated the message in a YouTube video. The paper, one of Russia's most critical voices, faced years of pressure, including the 2006 murder of reporter Anna Politkovskaya, whose 20th anniversary was marked earlier this month. In April, its Moscow offices were searched for hours, and in September the outlet was designated a "foreign agent," a label that bars various income sources. Founder Muratow was similarly designated in 2021. The paper said more than 30 years alongside the country and its citizens would end "on the street, without a livelihood, under constant threat of repression."
Source report
The "Nowaja Gaseta," showing the Latvian and Russian editions of the newspaper. Source: picture alliance/dpa/Alexander Welscher
The murder of reporter Anna Politkovskaya brought "Nowaja Gaseta" tragic fame in 2006. The critical Russian outlet subsequently came under political and financial pressure. Now the editorial team is giving up.
The Russian newspaper "Nowaja Gaseta," founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitri Muratow, is ceasing operations after more than 30 years and massive pressure in Russia.
"We have been killed," reads the headline of a statement on the newspaper's website. "The Russian authorities and the Russian secret services forced the editorial team to stop working," the outlet wrote. On November 9, the editorial team will turn off the lights, shut down the servers, and leave. The newspaper will then no longer exist.
Editor-in-chief Sergej Sokolow also spread the message in a video statement on the online platform YouTube. "Nowaja Gaseta is ceasing to exist," he said. "The Russian authorities, the Russian secret services have forced the editorial team to stop its work."
The Russian journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitri Muratow. Source: Marcus Brandt/dpa
"Nowaja Gaseta" is among the most critical voices in Russia and has always been under pressure. Earlier this month marked the 20th anniversary of the murder of its reporter Anna Politkovskaya. Russian authorities also took action against "Nowaja Gaseta" after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine more than four and a half years ago.
Outlet Classified as "Foreign Agent"
On the eve of the announcement, it became known that the editorial team must leave its premises in Moscow. In April, the editorial offices had been searched for hours; in September, the outlet was classified as a so-called foreign agent. Even earlier, its founder Dmitri Muratow, honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, had been classified as a "foreign agent." Moscow uses this label to brand critics.
Anyone listed as a "foreign agent" must reckon with numerous disadvantages. Among other things, they are denied rental income or deposit interest on a savings account, as well as royalties or other income from intellectual activity. "More than 30 years of life together with the country and its citizens will end for us on the street, without a livelihood, under constant threat of repression," the newspaper wrote.
AFP/krott
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Novaya Gazeta to shut down on November 9, accusing Russian authorities of forcing closure