Russia Designates Novaya Gazeta as Foreign Agent

Russia's Justice Ministry has added the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta to its official registry of foreign agents. The ministry also added the journal Istoricheskaya Ekspertiza, professor Tatyana Tatarinova, commentator Sergei Leibgrad, and former editor in chief Felix Sandalov to the list. Additionally, the ministry published a list of over 100 people affiliated with Novaya Gazeta. Those identified as affiliated must disclose this status when running for office, though they are not subject to the full restrictions of foreign agents.

Novaya Gazeta is known for investigative journalism and critical coverage of Russian authorities. Six of its employees have been killed, and its journalists have faced repeated threats and attacks. The paper stopped publishing its print edition in 2022 after Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, and the Basmanny District Court stripped the publication of its media license that same year. Editor in chief and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov was designated a foreign agent in 2023.

The Justice Ministry accused the newspaper of spreading false information regarding the Russian electoral system and the policies of public authorities. The ministry also cited the paper's condemnation of the war in Ukraine and its contacts with other designated foreign agents.

Outlets with a center left lean framed the event as part of a pattern of targeting the paper and its Nobel winning editor. Outlets with a center right lean framed the event by highlighting the specific accusations made by the Justice Ministry and the history of violence against the paper's staff.