Novaya Gazeta removed content on the war in Ukraine from its website and social media channels due to the censorship and legal threats from the government. It said in a statement the newspaper, which is edited by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dmitry Muratov, said that it was being forced to remove all published content on the invasion by Russian authorities. The newspaper said it would continue to report on the consequences that Russia is facing, including a deepening economic crisis and the persecution of dissidents. “Military censorship in Russia has quickly moved into a new phase: from the threat of blocking and closing publications (almost fully implemented) it has moved to the threat of criminal prosecution of both journalists and citizens who spread information about military hostilities that is different from the press releases of the Ministry of Defense,” the paper said in a message to readers. “There is no doubt that this threat will be realised.” The newspaper said it could not risk the freedom of its staff but also could not ignore its readers’ desire for it to continuing working, even under military censorship. It said it was therefore removing materials “on this topic” from its website and social networks. “We continue to report on the consequences that Russia is facing: the developing economic crisis, the rapid decline in living standards, problems with access to foreign medicines and technologies, and the persecution of dissidents, including for anti-war statements,” it said.
Russia-Ukraine WarCensorship and regulationPublication ban, take-down order or forced deletion, fine, administrative action