Novaya Gazeta Closes Moscow Offices Amid Rising Government Pressure

Novaya Gazeta, Russia’s prominent independent newspaper, announced the closure of its Moscow offices on Monday, attributing this decision to persistent pressure from government authorities. It was the last significant independent media outlet openly critical of the Kremlin operating within Russia. President Vladimir Putin’s military actions in Ukraine, initiated in February 2022, prompted many outlets to shut down or relocate abroad.

In a statement released on October 30, the newspaper claimed that Russian authorities and security services had ‘forced our editorial team to cease operations.’ The statement further added, ‘Human rights and freedoms have been abolished in this country, and defending them is now treated as a crime. Elections and elected governing bodies have been effectively dismantled, civil society institutions have been wiped out, freedom of conscience and human dignity have been trampled underfoot.’

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dmitry Muratov, the former editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, along with other editorial board members, attended a ceremony marking the closure of their office in Moscow. The event was documented by the Associated Press.

Established in 1993, Novaya Gazeta quickly gained recognition for its bold journalism and commitment to exposing human rights abuses and corruption in Russia. The newspaper lost six journalists, including Anna Politkovskaya, who was fatally shot in 2006 while investigating atrocities during the second Chechen War, which coincided with the early years of Putin’s presidency.

On the final day at their office, journalists gathered to remove portraits of their fallen colleagues from the newsroom where they meticulously planned their reports and investigations. Tatiana Britskaya, the editor of Novaya Gazeta’s investigations desk, expressed her long-held anticipation of the closure, describing it as ‘an incredibly difficult decision, because this is more than a workplace, more than an office — this is our home, and we’re losing it.’

Novaya Gazeta faced mounting government scrutiny, particularly after the conflict in Ukraine escalated. The Kremlin intensified its crackdown on dissent, leading to severe repercussions for Novaya Gazeta. Dmitry Muratov, who shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, was attacked in 2022 when an assailant poured red paint on him, causing eye irritation. In 2023, Muratov resigned as editor after being labeled a ‘foreign agent’ by Russian authorities, a term carrying negative implications and potential for further government investigation.

The newspaper faced fines for allegedly discrediting Russia’s armed forces and was deemed a foreign agent. Authorities blocked its online platforms, seized its printing facilities, revoked its media registration, and dismantled its reader-supported donation system. Ultimately, the newspaper was ordered to vacate its Moscow offices.

As journalists departed the building, a new sign was placed above where the newspaper’s name had been displayed, reading, ‘Here lived Novaya Gazeta.’ Editor-in-Chief Sergei Sokolov expressed hope for the future, saying, ‘We will live, and I am sure that this country, caught in such a terrible era, will eventually stir. As soon as those first signs appear, Novaya Gazeta will return, to our readers and to our colleagues.’

In 2022, some Novaya Gazeta staff relocated abroad, establishing Novaya Gazeta Europe. This new project continues to deliver sharp criticism of the Kremlin and its military interventions in Ukraine.

A free press is fundamental to a functioning democracy. Supporting reliable journalism and fostering civil dialogue remain essential.