Russia’s Independent Newspaper Novaya Gazeta Closes After Eviction
Russia’s prominent independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, has shut down its operations after being evicted from its offices amid growing pressure from authorities. The publication, which operated for 30 years, became known for its investigative reporting on corruption, human rights abuses and alleged misconduct by those in power. On Monday, its journalists and staff held a final editorial meeting before packing their belongings and leaving the newsroom.
The closure marks another major development for independent journalism in Russia, where media organisations have faced increasing restrictions. Novaya Gazeta’s work frequently examined sensitive political and social issues, making it one of the country’s most recognised independent publications. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the closure as part of a “standard rotational process”, while maintaining that Russia has a diverse media landscape.
The newspaper’s co-founder Dmitry Muratov, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, spoke to the BBC about the publication’s closure and its legacy. The departure of the editorial team brings an end to a significant chapter in Russia’s independent press history. The newspaper had spent three decades documenting issues that included corruption, human rights violations and abuses of power.
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