Russia's Novaya Gazeta Closes, Citing Government Pressure

Russia's most renowned independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, announced its closure on November 9th after more than three decades, citing relentless official pressure.

In an editorial statement, the newspaper declared, "They have killed us," asserting that "The Russian authorities and the Russian security services have forced our editorial team to cease operations." Authorities offered no immediate comment.

Founded in 1993 with funding from Mikhail Gorbachev's Nobel Peace Prize money, Novaya Gazeta became Russia's last major independent media outlet critical of the Kremlin following the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The paper faced a sweeping crackdown on dissent, with authorities targeting critical organizations and individuals, labeling many as "foreign agents" and declaring some "undesirable."

Novaya Gazeta has a history of challenging the government. Six of its journalists were killed during its operation, including Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on atrocities during the Chechen War and was found shot dead in her Moscow apartment building in 2006. While five men were convicted of involvement in her murder in 2014, the orchestrator of the killing was never identified.

In 2022, the newspaper's longtime editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, a co-recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, was attacked on a train. An assailant poured red paint on him, causing eye discomfort. Muratov stepped down as editor in 2023 after being designated a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities.

As part of the intensified crackdown, Novaya Gazeta was fined for allegedly discrediting Russia’s armed forces. It was designated a foreign agent, a label that carries significant stigma and implies increased government scrutiny. Authorities also blocked the newspaper's online platforms, confiscated its printing house, and revoked its media registration.

In a final measure, the newspaper was ordered to vacate its premises, and its reader donation system was shut down. The paper attributed the actions to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Justice Ministry, and the Prosecutor General's office, alleging they have "privatized the state and usurped power."

"This is not just our own private story," the newspaper stated. "It is the story of a country and a society that are being systematically destroyed in the very same way. More than thirty years of life, shared with this country and its citizens, will end for us on the street — destitute and under the constant threat of repression."

The newspaper argued that the crackdown violated Russia's constitution, stating that its ban on censorship now sounds like a "cruel mockery." The statement further elaborated that "The constitution itself has been raped, beaten, gagged, and thrown into prison for a long, long time," paralleling the situation of citizens who upheld its provisions.

Some former staff members of Novaya Gazeta established a new project abroad, Novaya Gazeta Europe, which has been critical of the Kremlin and its actions in Ukraine. One of Novaya Gazeta's journalists, Oleg Roldugin, is currently awaiting trial, and the newspaper's offices have undergone searches.