Russia: Kremlin Expands its Media Blacklist Banning 3 Women Journalists from United Kingdom
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Russia’s targeting of critical journalists at home and abroad
Location: Russia
Date: August 18, 2023
The Russian government announced it has added 14 new journalists from the United Kingdom to its blacklist, barring them from the country. The Kremlin accuses the journalists from the Guardian, BBC, and The Telegraph of fabricating “anti-Russia stories.” The Coalition For Women In Journalism continues to be appalled at the government’s cynical ploys to harass journalists and blacken their names.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia published a list on August 18 containing the names of British journalists and politicians that it considers to be enemies of the country.
The list, which includes 54 British nationals, features prominent journalists including, BBC’s Marianna Spring and Deborah Turness and the Guardian’s Emily Bell, who are now banned from entering Russia.
The Kremlin accused these journalists of fabricating fraudulent stories that are critical of Russia and of trying to prevent impartial coverage of the situation in Ukraine. The regime has also alleged that these journalists are employing tactics reminiscent of George Orwell's novels, 1984 and Animal Farm, to suppress dissent.
As BBC Verify’s disinformation correspondent, Marianna Spring has frequently faced floods of abuse and online harassment for reporting on conspiracy theories and disinformation.
The Guardian responded to the news by stating that the Russian government's decision demonstrates its disregard for a free and impartial press. The newspaper emphasized its commitment to reporting on Russia and its invasion of Ukraine with rigor.
This move by Moscow follows previous instances in which dozens of British journalists and media executives, including Katharine Viner, the editor-in-chief of the Guardian, were banned.
Since June 2022, the Russian government has added nine women journalists to its blacklist:
Deborah Turness, BBC News chief executive
Emily Bell, the Guardian columnist, and Tow Center professor
Marianna Spring, BBC News disinformation correspondent
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, the Guardian
Orla Guerin, BBC correspondent
Emma Graham-Harrison, Guardian correspondent
Sophy Ridge, journalist, and Sky News presenter
Catherine Newman, journalist, and host of Channel 4 News
Larisa Brown, military news editor, the Times
Russia’s Escalating Crackdown on Press
The Russian government's actions against journalists and press freedom have intensified since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In March 2022, the Kremlin passed a law that threatens journalists in Russia with up to 15 years in prison for publishing or sharing "fake" information about the army. Journalists in Russia and those in exile have experienced harassment, imprisonment, and even poisoning attempts.
In Ukraine, women journalists covering Russian aggression have been killed or injured in attacks. Recently, foreign reporters working in Russia have also become targets, as demonstrated by the arrest of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges in March 2023 and the refusal to renew visas or accreditation for foreign correspondents Eva Hartog and Anna-Lena Laurén in August 2023.
These actions by the Russian government are attempts to control media coverage and silence critics.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the Kremlin for targeting critical journalists by adding them to a blacklist list in an attempt to discredit their work. Moscow’s contempt for a free and independent press continues to grow, and when they fail to silence Russian and Ukrainian journalists through aggression and intimidation, they turn to discredit foreign reporters through strategic disinformation online and in the media.
We stand in solidarity with Marianna Spring, Deborah Turness, and Emily Bell, as well as all the other journalists banned by Russian authorities, and encourage them to continue their accurate and independent reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
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.