Russia shuts down Novaya Gazeta, last major independent newspaper

Summarised from 8 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 11:50 · Archive

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta announced Friday it is closing under pressure from state authorities.

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta announced Friday that it is closing down, citing pressure from state authorities. Editor-in-Chief Sergei Sokolov said in a video statement published on YouTube: 'Novaya Gazeta is ceasing to exist. The Russian authorities – the Russian special services – have forced the editorial team to end its work.'

Sokolov said the newspaper would 'turn off the lights' on 9 November after operating for 30 years, shutting down its servers and ceasing all operations.

The closure follows increased pressure on the outlet's staff. Earlier this month, Sokolov was taken in for questioning and authorities searched his home over a criminal case involving colleague Oleg Roldugin. Roldugin was arrested in April and charged with 'unlawful access to computerised information', without details being provided. He pleaded not guilty according to state news agency RIA and is awaiting trial under house arrest extended until 10 November.

Novaya Gazeta has been classified as a 'foreign agent' by Russian authorities, a label used to stifle dissent. Founded in 1993 following the Soviet Union's collapse, the newspaper was known for investigations into corruption and critical coverage of Russian politics. A former editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, dedicating it to six colleagues killed because of their work.

Russia has intensified its crackdown on independent media since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The authorities revoked Novaya Gazeta's media licence that year, and the newspaper reduced production inside Russia. Near-Soviet levels of censorship have pushed the vast majority of independent journalists into exile.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders noted that six Novaya Gazeta journalists and staff members have been murdered, its newsroom raided, and journalists prosecuted over the years. The outlet's closure marks the end of one of Russia's most prominent symbols of independent journalism.

How it is being reported

• Last independent newspaper in Russia forced to shut downThe editor of Russia's last independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, says Vladimir Putin's government has "forced the editorial team to stop its work."CBS News · 30 Oct, 16:03
• Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta says it will shut down following pressure from KremlinThe paper is one of the few Russian outlets that has been openly critical of Russia's war in Ukraine, but it has come under increasing pressure from Moscow.Euronews · 30 Oct, 15:08
• Prominent Russian newspaper shuts down under pressure from authoritiesNovaya Gazeta has been one of the most high-profile independent news outlets in Russia over the last three decades.BBC News · 30 Oct, 11:23
• Russia: Critical newspaper 'Novaya Gazeta' to close"Novaya Gazeta," one of the last remaining independent, critical media outlets in Russia, has announced it is closing under pressure from state authorities. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, evacuations have begun in Oleshky.DW News · 30 Oct, 11:09
• Russia ‘forces’ closure of investigative newspaper Novaya GazetaA symbol of independent journalism, Novaya Gazeta has been classed as a 'foreign agent' by Moscow.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 11:08
• Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta to closeNewspaper whose former editor won Nobel peace prize says pressure from Russian authorities has forced it to shut The Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta announced on Friday that it was closing, citing pressure from authorities who recently searched the home of its senior editor and earlier this year detained one of its journalists. “Novaya Gazeta is ceasing to exist,” the editor-in-chief, Sergei Sokolov, said in a video statement published on YouTube. “The Russian authorities – the Russian special services – have forced the editorial team to end its work.” Continue reading...The Guardian · 30 Oct, 09:05
• Russia's bastion of free press Novaya Gazeta shuts down under Kremlin pressureNewspaper Novaya Gazeta, one of the last vestiges of independent journalism in Russia, announced Friday that it was closing down, citing pressure from authorities who recently searched the home of its senior editor and earlier this year detained one of its journalists.France 24 · 30 Oct, 08:42
• The Kremlin is shutting down Russia’s last free newspaperNovaya Gazeta is closing after being placed on a state enemies listThe Economist · 29 Oct, 13:48

In this story: Novaya Gazeta · Sergei Sokolov · Oleg Roldugin · Dmitry Muratov · Russia · Ukraine

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