Novaya Gazeta to close after state pressure
The independent Russian newspaper will cease operations on November 9, citing lost funding and legal actions against its staff.
By Austin Reed ·
Novaya Gazeta will stop publishing on November 9, ending more than 30 years of independent journalism in Russia. The editorial team announced the closure on Friday, attributing the decision to a sustained effort by the state to strip the organization of its resources and personnel.
The newspaper stated that state prosecutors have pursued several senior journalists in recent months. Simultaneously, authorities shut down the donations platform that provided the publication's primary financial support. The organization also lost its physical office, leaving the staff without a base of operations.
In a statement, the paper described the move as an eviction from a home where it had lived for three decades. The editors noted that the Russian authorities and security services forced the team to cease operations after they were left homeless and under constant threat of repression.
The outlet has maintained a critical stance toward the government since its founding. It has faced severe challenges throughout its history, including the murder of six journalists, among them Anna Politkovskaya. These deaths occurred in varying circumstances over the paper's long existence.
Pressure on non-state media intensified after Russia launched a full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. New censorship rules imposed during this period mandate long prison terms for individuals who discredit the Russian army or spread what the government defines as fake news. Novaya Gazeta operated under these stricter regulations for several years before closing.
The Kremlin has previously justified censorship measures as necessary during what it calls an existential struggle with the West over Ukraine. Officials have also accused foreign intelligence services of attempting to stir up discontent within Russian society. There was no immediate comment from the authorities regarding the specific closure of Novaya Gazeta.
The final issue will appear before the servers are turned off on November 9. The team described the end of the paper as the conclusion of more than 30 years of shared life with the country and its citizens.
