The head of European diplomacy called the cessation of publication of Novaya Gazeta the result of censorship and systemic pressure on independent media

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued a statement in connection with the termination of the publication of Novaya Gazeta.

“Today, the Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta was forced to cease operations as a result of censorship and systemic intimidation by the Russian authorities. The decision taken by Novaya Gazeta is the result of systemic pressure on independent media, including foreign ones, as well as social networks, organized by the Russian authorities,” said the head of European diplomacy.

Borrell specifically noted that Novaya Gazeta has received wide recognition far beyond Russia, its editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and six employees of the publication, including Anna Politkovskaya, “paid with their lives for their courageous work.”

The European Union, Borrell said, "appreciates the Russian independent media and individual journalists who defend the values ​​of democracy, the rule of law and freedom", will continue to support them and "combat the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns."

• On March 28, Novaya Gazeta received a second written warning from Roskomnadzor for mentioning an unmarked NGO as a “foreign agent.” According to Russian law, for two warnings from Roskomnadzor per year, the media are threatened with revocation of the license.
• After a warning from Roskomnadzor, Novaya Gazeta announced that it was suspending “the publication of the newspaper on the website, in networks and on paper until the end of the ‘special operation on the territory of Ukraine’.” “There is no other way out. For us, and, I know, for you, this is a terrible and difficult decision. But we must save us for each other, ”the editorial letter to subscribers says.