Location: Russia
Date: March 1, 2022

At least three women journalists and others, reporting for independent media, were beaten, detained, and threatened by Russian security forces for covering anti-war rallies against the Russian invasion of Ukraine across the country. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) denounces the exertion of Russian authorities to obstruct media organizations in Russia. We urge the state officials to allow journalists to report freely anti-war demonstrations about the invasion of Ukraine and respect their rights to report.

Since Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russian people who are opposing the war started protesting Putin’s state and waved the move across the country. On day six, at least 2000 people were arrested over anti-war protests and demonstrations, and at least three women journalists were beaten, detained, and threatened while reporting the crackdowns.

On February 26, Russia’s state internet regulator Roskomnadzor announced that news outlets can only report official government statements about the invasion of Ukraine. Roskomnadzor also threatened news outlets to block their websites if any reportage objects to the declaration.

Roskomnadzor launched an administrative investigation into at least 10 media organizations for 'disseminating unreliable information' and fined up to 5 million rubles, according to news sources.

Roskomnadzor also sent notifications to the news outlets for ‘false information’. Echo of Moscow, television station TV Rain, independent news websites InoSMI, Medizona, New Times, Free Press, Novaya Gazeta, The Journalist, Linizdat, and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website Crimea.Realities listed and accused of spreading false information. 

British daily Telegraph’s Moscow reporter, Nataliya Vasilyeva was briefly detained while reporting the anti-war protests in the capital. She took to her Twitter account and said people were taken ‘indiscriminately’ and despite naming herself as a reporter, the journalist was briefly detained while reporting.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with local and international journalists and newsrooms operating in the region. Information is often the first to fall to distortion and manipulation by aggressive forces and in times of conflict. Therefore, it is essential that journalists are permitted to do their jobs and bring vital information to the citizens of both the countries as well as the international community at large. The CFWIJ would like to reamplify the reminder by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion & Expression Irene Khan who stated that, “independent, pluralistic and free media is the best antidote against disinformation in war or peace”. 

According to CPJ, Nika Samusik, a photographer for Sota.Vision was arrested by security forces in St. Petersburg on February 24. She was held two nights under custody and was charged under Part 2, Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code for allegedly organizing the protest. She faces fines of 20,000 to 30,000 rubles, 15 hours of labor, or up to 10 days of administrative arrest.

Reporter of local news website Simbirsk.City, Viktoria Avdeeva was also detained in the city of Ulyanovsk. She was charged under Part 5, Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code. Her detention period is still unclear, according to CPJ.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the journalists who are reporting from the war zone. We extend our solidarity to Ukrainian people, but especially Ukrainian journalists who now find themselves at the frontlines of a large-scale European war. Journalists, who follow those people who are against all kinds of violence that kills and harms people, are responsible for reporting about the war and being the voice of the opponents of the war. We urge Russian authorities to quit weaponizing and censoring independent media and reporters in the country for doing their job. Journalism is not a crime.

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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