
Silencing the truth: Russia’s systematic erosion of press freedom
Over the past decade, and with growing urgency since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, press freedom in Russia has collapsed into one of the most repressive environments for journalists outside of active warzones. The Kremlin’s tightening grip on the media extends far beyond traditional censorship. It now encompasses aggressive legal crackdowns, the criminalization of independent reporting, forced media closures, and the systematic persecution of journalists, both foreign and domestic. High-Profile Persecution The case of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent detained in March 2023 while reporting on a military facility, underscores the Kremlin’s willingness to conflate journalism with espionage. Accused under vague national security charges, Gershkovich was imprisoned until August 1, 2024, when he was released as part of a rare prisoner exchange brokered by then President Biden. His case was a rare exception; his arrest sent a chilling signal to both foreign and domestic reporters. More