Novaya Gazeta to shut down, citing pressure from Russian authorities
Novaya Gazeta announces closure, citing pressure from Russian authorities and special services; editor-in-chief says servers will shut down November 9.
The story in focus
Novaya Gazeta has announced it will cease operations, citing pressure from Russian authorities and special services. Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said the newspaper will shut down its servers on November 9.
- Novaya Gazeta announced its closure on Friday, citing pressure from Russian authorities.
- Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said the outlet will turn off its lights and shut down servers on November 9.
- Sokolov was questioned and his home searched this month over a criminal case involving colleague Oleg Roldugin.
- Novaya Gazeta has been designated a 'foreign agent' by Moscow and its media licence was revoked in 2022.
Closure announcement
Novaya Gazeta announced on Friday that it will cease operations, stating that Russian authorities and special services forced the editorial staff to end its work. The editorial board released a statement titled 'We were killed,' according to Al Jazeera.
Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said in a video statement published on YouTube that the newspaper is ceasing to exist and that on November 9 the outlet will turn off the lights, shut down its servers and leave.
Pressure on the newsroom
This month, Sokolov was taken in for questioning and his home was searched in connection with a criminal case involving his colleague Oleg Roldugin, who was arrested in April and charged with unlawful access to computerised information.
Novaya Gazeta has been classified as a 'foreign agent' by Moscow, and its media licence was revoked in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The outlet had already reduced production inside Russia.
Journalism under pressure
Reporters Without Borders noted that six Novaya Gazeta journalists and staff members have been murdered and its newsroom has been raided. The closure marks another step in a crackdown on independent media in Russia.
When will Novaya Gazeta shut down its operations?
Editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov said the newspaper will turn off the lights and shut down its servers on November 9, ending operations after 30 years.
Sources & further reading
- Russia ‘forces’ closure of investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta ↗Al Jazeera
- Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta to close, citing pressure from ‘special services’ ↗The Guardian
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