RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
10/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2026 07:29
Russia: Independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta announces closure due to relentless Kremlin repression
A symbol of independent journalism in Russia for more than 30 years, Novaya Gazeta announced on Friday, 30 October that it will cease all operations on 9 November due to the Kremlin's relentless crackdown on the free press. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is sharing the statement issued by its editorial team and expresses its unwavering support.
"Did Vladimir Putin intend to turn Novaya Gazeta into a symbol of his repression of the free press? Above all, Novaya Gazeta will remain, now and forever, THE symbol of free, pluralistic, independent and rigorous journalism - a model for the entire profession around the world. The newspaper has been a source of pride for its country, for which it has incurred the regime's wrath for more than three decades. Yet, no blow ever shook its determination to rise again after every storm. Novaya Gazeta has announced that it is ceasing operations, but Novaya Gazeta will never cease to inspire us. We are Novaya Gazeta. And we are many.
Thibaut Bruttin
RSF Director General
Novaya Gazeta versus the Kremlin
Novaya Gazeta has become one of the most high-profile victims of the repression of the free press. Founded in 1993, the newspaper has seen six of its journalists and staff members murdered, including renowned journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed on 7 October 2006.
The independent outlet has continued its work despite Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but it has faced relentless attacks from an increasingly ruthless Kremlin: the revocation of its print and online licences, severe legal harassment and the designation of its former editor-in-chief as a "foreign agent" in 2023. Last September, the entire editorial team was added to the list of "foreign agents". On 15 October, editor-in-chief Sergei Sokolov was arrested. It was the final episode in the persecution campaign against Novaya Gazeta before the curtain fell.
Published on 30.10.2026
RSF - Reporters sans frontières published this content on October 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 30, 2026 at 13:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]