Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta is closing, citing state pressure, Reuters reports

Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, is closing and winding up its operations. France 24 and Reuters both report the closure.

The newspaper attributes its closure to state pressure. According to Reuters, Novaya Gazeta says it is closing because of a campaign of state pressure that made it impossible to continue reporting.

Reuters also reports that the newspaper held its final editorial meeting. This detail appears only in the Reuters report reviewed by Vocemundi.

The reports do not name the editor or official who announced the closure. They do not include any direct quotes from the newspaper's staff.

What each side says

• Novaya Gazeta: According to Reuters, the paper says a campaign of state pressure made it impossible to continue reporting.
• Russian authorities: The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any response from the Kremlin or other Russian authorities to the newspaper's account of state pressure.

The newspaper's account of pressure is its own position, as reported by Reuters.

What the reports do not include

• The specific forms of pressure the newspaper cites, such as legal, regulatory or financial measures.
• The date when publication ends.
• Whether any print, online or other outlet will continue.
• What happens to the newspaper's staff or its archive.
• The name of the person who announced the closure.

About the sourcing

France 24 and Reuters are separate news organisations. Neither credits the other. However, the France 24 item available for review is a video headline with no article text. Only a summary of the Reuters report was available. For these reasons, the details available so far are limited. The details may change as fuller reports become available.

Analysis

The closure is confirmed by two separate news organisations. The reason given for it is, for now, the newspaper's own account, as reported by Reuters. Several outcomes remain open. Fuller reporting could clarify which specific measures the newspaper describes as pressure. Russian authorities could respond to the account, or they could choose not to comment. It is also unclear whether the newspaper's journalism will continue in another form, and what will happen to its staff and archive. Readers may want to watch for official statements from both sides, and for detailed reporting that goes beyond the brief items available so far.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.