Russia: Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova Detained, Fined After Staging Anti-War Protest On-Air

Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: March 15, 2022

Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at state-run Channel One television, was detained overnight and fined for making an anti-war video and staging a demonstration on-air. After she broke onto the set of a live news segment, the journalist was detained on Monday with her whereabouts undisclosed till she was produced before a court in Moscow the following morning. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the treatment and fine meted out to the Russian journalist and calls on the Kremlin to allow freedom of speech. We are extremely concerned for Marina’s safety as state authorities continue to take harsh measures against anti-war coverage and protests. 

On March 14, 2022, Marina ran onto the set of Russia’s most-watched news segment, Vremya, holding up an anti-war placard. “No war, stop the war, don’t believe the propaganda, they are lying to you here,” read the placard signed “Russians against the war”.

The news anchor on-air continued to read from her teleprompter in attempts to drown out Marina’s shouts of “Stop the war. No to war,” till the channel switched to a recorded segment several seconds later. The journalist was detained shortly after and denied legal access. 

A pre-recorded video of the Channel One editor was also released through human rights group OVD-Info in which she stated that her father is Ukrainian and called for anti-war protests. She said she was embarrassed to be working for the state-run channel and spreading “Kremlin propaganda”.

Marina Ovsyannikova, the woman who ran onto a live state TV news broadcast, even recorded a message beforehand. In it, she says her father is Ukrainian. She calls for anti-war protests, says she’s ashamed about working for Kremlin propaganda, and she denounces the war absolutely. pic.twitter.com/nOpUY9bH74

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) March 14, 2022

"I'm ashamed that I allowed myself to tell lies from the television screen. Ashamed that I allowed Russians to be turned into zombies," said Marina in her video message. "We just silently watched this inhumane regime."

All through the night of March 14, 2022, Marina’s lawyers visited different police precincts but the journalist’s whereabouts remained undisclosed. She was produced before the court the next morning, reported BBC News along with a picture of her and her lawyer.

Marina was charged for violating anti-protest laws and fined 30,000 rouble ($280) with her anti-war video cited as evidence.

"The interrogation lasted for more than 14 hours, I wasn't allowed to get in touch with my family or friends, I was denied access to a lawyer," Marina told the media as she left the court premises. 

It remains unclear whether she will face separate legal action for her anti-war demonstration during the live news broadcast. 

In the past month, the Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on independent media in the country and has been taking active efforts to suppress anti-war coverage. Recently passed legislation criminalizes the disbursement of information about Russia’s war in Ukraine that the state authorities deem “false” or contradictory to the official position. The law carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison besides hefty fines for those convicted under it. 

The state has denounced reports of civilian deaths and Russian military setbacks in Ukraine and denied the use of “war” or “invasion” for what it refers to as a “special military operation”. The authorities have also restricted access to several news outlets, including BBC News websites, Deutsche Welle (DW) and Meduza while Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s services have been limited.

Several local and international media outlets have been forced to suspend or reduce operations on ground by the escalating crackdown on independent information channels and freedom of speech. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the hours-long detention of Marina Ovsyannikova and the fine imposed on her. Russian authorities must allow freedom of speech in the country and permit journalists to do their jobs. The Kremlin’s attempts to distort and manipulate the truth by rendering the local press toothless are condemnable. Journalists must be able to report freely without state interference. We stand in solidarity with Marina and our brave colleagues in Russia who are striving to bring the truth to the world despite increasing attempts to control channels of information.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.