Russia: Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova Fined For Anti-War Protest On-Air After Brief Detention
Location: Russia, MoscowDate: July 28, 2022
Marina Ovsyannikova, the former editor at state-run Channel One television, has been fined for "discrediting" Russia's army; the Moscow court fined Marina 50,000 roubles ($800) for making an anti-war video during a live broadcast and staging a demonstration on-air, on March. Then, she was fired from her job and fined 30,000 roubles ($480) following after brief detention that took 14 hours of questioning. The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the verdict and extends support to Marina; the CFWIJ condemns the treatment and fine meted out to the Russian journalist and calls on the Kremlin to allow freedom of speech.
The Moscow court fined Marina 50,000 roubles ($800) over protest against the Ukraine war during a live broadcast, but Marina said she would appeal the fine.
"What's going on here is absurd; war is horror, blood and shame," she told the court while interrogating her. Marina considered the trial intimidating for her, journalists and others who oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, she insisted that she would keep coming out against the war as she did before.
Marina is due in court again next month in a different case on the exact charges; this case would be about her social media posts. Russia passed a law against "discrediting" its armed forces in March 2022, after a short time of invading Ukraine. Marina was accused of breaking this law when she wrote on social media that those responsible for the war would find themselves in the dock before an international tribunal. The law carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison besides hefty fines for those convicted under it.
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". At the same time, the news anchor on-air continued to read from her teleprompter, and then several seconds later, the channel switched to a recorded segment.
Marina was detained shortly after, and she was interrogated 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 announced after she left the court premises, Where she was fined. "I'm ashamed that I allowed myself to tell lies from the television screen," said Marina in her video message after the detention. "We just silently watched this inhumane regime."
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the verdict fining Marina Ovsyannikova and extends support to her. The CFWIJ asks Russian authorities to allow freedom of speech and permit journalists to do their jobs without constrictions. Journalists must be able to report freely without state interference.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the verdict fining Marina Ovsyannikova and extends support to her. The CFWIJ asks Russian authorities to allow freedom of speech and permit journalists to do their jobs without constrictions. Journalists must be able to report freely without state interference.
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.
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