Russian Journalist to Auction Nobel Medal to Benefit Ukraine

But even as other independent outlets were shut down or co-opted under the government of Vladimir V. Putin, Novaya Gazeta survived, observers said, thanks in part to Mr. Muratov’s longstanding connections and willingness (criticized by some factions of the country’s fractured opposition) to make some strategic compromises, including holding back on investigations of wealth held by family members and suspected romantic partners of Mr. Putin and his inner circle.

“He made a valiant effort to continue operating with the incredible restrictions, and the incredible risk, to try to do independent journalism inside the country,” said Ann Cooper, a former Moscow correspondent and former executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “Ultimately, he had to make a terrible decision.”

Everything changed after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and the Kremlin enacted a harsh new law punishing anyone who spreads “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison, effectively criminalizing independent reporting on the war. (Under the law, for example, it could be illegal to call it a “war,” rather than a “special military operation.”)

Novaya Gazeta (a collective, majority-owned by its employees) stayed open for 34 days, as most other independent Russian outlets were shuttered, many journalists left the country and many Western news organizations suspended operations. “It was a media holocaust,” Mr. Muratov said.

And on March 28, Novaya Gazeta announced it would suspend operations, after receiving two warnings that its coverage had violated the law. To continue, Mr. Muratov said, would have put his employees at risk.

“This is wartime censorship,” he said in the interview. “Under these circumstances, we can’t publish honest material.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/01/arts/russia-ukraine-muratov-nobel.html