The VTimes publication, which was founded by former Vedomosti employees, has launched crowdfunding

The publication VTimes, founded by former employees of Vedomosti, announced the collection of funds for the development of the project.

“We are sure that Russia needs independent and high-quality business journalism. Today it is impossible without the support of readers. We urge you to join us in the fight for freedom of speech, high standards of journalism and the availability of information,” reads the fundraising page .

VTimes expects to use the money raised to produce podcasts, videos, release investigations and analytical materials.

According to the publisher of VTimes Alexander Gubsky, the project will officially start in October 2020. But the materials of the publication are already published on its website and in social networks.

• VTimes was created at the end of July by Vedomosti journalists who resigned in protest against the actions of the new leadership. The new project was advised by media manager Derk Sauer, who in 1999, together with The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, founded Vedomosti.
• The crisis at Vedomosti began in March 2020 after the appointment of acting director. O. editor-in-chief Andrey Shmarov - the editors accused him of censorship due to interference with already published materials. In May, the newspaper was bought by the publisher of FederalPress Ivan Eremin, after which Shmarov was officially approved as editor-in-chief. After that, some of the journalists, including five deputy chief editors, left Vedomosti.