EDITORIAL— The last Russian independent newspaper

After more than 30 years of operation, the last Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta shut down last week.

According to reports, the newspaper, which is known for its investigative reports and counts 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov among its founders, said it was forced to cease operations after years of mounting pressure from the government.

“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,” the newspaper said.

            Especially in authoritarian countries, investigative journalists have always carried the torch when it comes to looking for the truth. And they do this with no little risk to their lives. In fact, six journalists belonging to the Novaya Gazeta have been killed since the newspaper started operations.

We see the loss of this newspaper as a blow to freedom of the Press in Russia.

Where will Russia go now that it no longer has what can be considered a free Press? Quickly back into the old mold where government policies can no longer be criticized or questioned and those in power enjoy complete immunity and freedom from any form of accountability.

While that’s how authoritarian governments like it, is this what the people want?

            A healthy Press is essential for any democracy to succeed. Even the best governments make mistakes or formulate policies that can actually do more harm than good. The Press is one of the establishments that can provide a venue where people can air their grievances or complaints. Especially if it does investigative reports, it’s also one of those establishments that can uncover abuses by authorities.

But what are we talking about here? Russia has stopped being a democracy for decades --if it ever was one following the fall of the USSR.

The loss of the Novaya Gazeta means status quo in Russia, but this isn’t exactly a good thing.