2009

Enterprising young reporters tackling sensitive local topics are often isolated and vulnerable to reprisals from powerful forces.

Anatomy of Injustice: The Unsolved Killings of Journalists in Russia   A centralized federal system, overseen in Moscow with regional offices throughout the country, investigates and prosecutes most serious crimes in Russia, including murders. A system of Investigative Committees is in charge of most criminal probes. The Russian Investigative Committee in Moscow, headed by Aleksandr…

The two victims were energetic journalists, expert in their fields, fair in their reporting. They died in suspicious circumstances that have not been fully investigated.

By Andrei SoldatovSecurity agencies operate in near secrecy. When journalists turn to unofficial sources, they court harassment or attack.

Can President Medvedev halt attacks on the press without moving against corruption in law enforcement agencies? Two cases show how the issues are intertwined.

By Maria LipmanJournalists and others who speak out against government abuses are on their own. If they are attacked or encounter legal trouble, they can hardly count on public support.

Investigators in two cases are quick to classify slayings as the product of street crimes such as robberies rather than probe more sensitive motives.

Anatomy of Injustice: The Unsolved Killings of Journalists in Russia “The recognition, observance and protection of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen shall be the obligation of the State. … Everyone shall have the right to life. … Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of ideas and speech.” —Constitution of the Russian Federation, Articles…

Valery Ivanov and Aleksei Sidorov were friends and colleagues, a pair of crusading editors out to expose crime and make a splash in Russia’s car-making capital. They were murdered 18 months apart.

By Ann CooperIn a manufacturing city divided in two, corruption and violence find a home, but justice struggles to find a place.