Russia / Europe & Central Asia

Paris, November 25, 2022 – In response to news reports that a Russian court on Thursday sentenced Crimean Tatar journalists Osman Arifmemetov and Rustem Sheikhaliev to 14 years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The draconian 14-year prison sentences for Crimean Tatar journalists Osman Arifmemetov and Rustem Sheikhaliev demonstrate just how intent Russian authorities are on eliminating any…

By Jennifer Dunham/CPJ Deputy Editorial Director No one has been held to account in nearly 80% of journalist murders during the last 10 years, CPJ’s 2022 Global Impunity Index found, and governments show little interest in tackling the issue. Published November 1, 2022 Statistical table | Methodology | Database: All journalists murdered for their work…

Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has sought to stamp out independent reporting on the war, prompting journalists to flee and newsrooms to shut down or to self-censor under threat of criminal prosecution.   Remarkably, one local outlet has continued to produce robust reporting despite the repressive environment. SOTA, which counts a staff of 40 journalists and support workers,…

Paris, September 26, 2022—Russian authorities must allow the media to report freely on protests against the country’s call-up of reservists to bolster its forces in Ukraine and stop using the threat of conscription against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At least three journalists were arrested, at least 16 more were detained, at…

Paris, September 21, 2022 — In response to Wednesday’s announcement by Russian state media regulator Roskomnadzor that media outlets could be fined or blocked for spreading “false information” on President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization of military reservists, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Access to reliable and transparent information at this critical time is crucial,…

Paris, September 15, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Russian Supreme Court revoked the online license of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper only 10 days after a Moscow court revoked the outlet’s print license, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “By revoking Novaya Gazeta’s online license only days after…

Paris, September 14, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Moscow city court on Wednesday closed the independent Russian Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union trade group at the request of Moscow’s prosecutor office, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to reverse their decision and to let the union work freely:…

Paris, September 13, 2022 — Russian authorities should swiftly investigate the assault on Badma Byurchiyev, determine whether it was linked to his journalistic activity, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Thursday, September 8, unidentified people attacked Byurchiyev, a news reporter with independent news website Kavkazsky Uzel (Caucasian…

Paris, September 8, 2022—Russian authorities should stop using investigations into so-called “fake” information about the Russian military to harass journalists, and should let the media work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Thursday, September 8, authorities searched the homes of at least five journalists in cities across Russia over their alleged connection…

Paris, September 6, 2022—Russian authorities should reverse a recent decision to suspend the printing license of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper and cease all efforts to censor the outlet and harass its staff, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, September 5, a Moscow court granted a request by Russian state media regulator…