Novaya Gazeta ceases publication after state pressure

The prominent Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta announced on Friday that it is closing and ceasing publication. Staff members stated that the Russian government succeeded in killing off the outlet after years of state pressure, government bans, and crackdowns. [1][2][4][5][6]

According to the South China Morning Post, the newspaper was one of the last outlets to openly criticise Moscow and the war in Ukraine. Its publication licence had been revoked, and its reporters were subjected to arrests and detentions. France 24 reported that authorities recently searched the home of the newspaper's senior editor and detained a journalist earlier this year. [2][4][6]

Novaya Gazeta stated that six of its journalists have been killed over the decades. Al Jazeera reported that among the victims was investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered 20 years ago this month. [1]

The Moscow-based outlet is known for its investigative reporting on political affairs, corruption, authoritarianism, and the Chechen wars. It originally published print editions three times a week before moving exclusively online shortly after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [4][11]