45 journalists have been prosecuted in Russia in 2024
The number has doubled since 2023, according to the experts.
In 2024, Russian courts handed down at least 27 sentences to journalists, most of whom were accused of "spreading falsehoods about the armed forces of the Russian Federation", according to a report published by the Media Rights Protection Fund.
After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin signed a law introducing prison sentences of up to 15 years for 'fake news' about the Russian army. Under this law, any information that is not part of the official statements of the Russian Ministry of Defence could be labelled ‘fake'.
According to the Media Rights Protection Fund, among the total number of around 45 journalists who were prosecuted in Russia in 2024, the majority of cases are for "failure to perform the duties" of a so-called "foreign agent" (16 cases) and "participation in an extremist organisation" (8 cases).
In 2021, the Russian authorities designated the anti-corruption foundation (FBK) of the late Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny as "extremist". Since then, not only Navalny's allies but also journalists who covered the foundation's activities or Navalny's trial have been charged with "participation in an extremist organisation".
For example, in March 2024 a criminal case was opened against SOTA.Vision journalist Antonina Favorskaya on charges of extremism. She is accused of collecting material, producing and editing videos and publications for Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation and is currently in pre-trial detention in Moscow, The Guardian reports.
The home of the journalist Artyem Kriger was searched in Moscow before he was arrested on 'extremism' charges:
“During the search he was asked if he knew Navalny”, SotaVision wrote in their Telegram.
According to the Media Rights Protection Fund, at least 12 criminal cases were opened in 2024 against foreign journalists also for covering events in the Kursk region.
For example, a Russian court has ordered the arrest of FRANCE 24's reporter Catherine Norris Trent on charges of crossing illegally into its western Kursk region to file a report on the Ukrainian army's summer incursion, France 24 reported.
In July Russian American journalist Masha Gessen was sentenced to 8 years in absentia for “spreading false information” about the Russian military.
According to the report, at least 24 searches of journalists, their family members and media offices were carried out in 2024. For example, in August 2024, Russia's FSB searched the home of prominent Karelian journalist Valery Potashov.
In the Russian northern city of Murmansk, a search was carried out in the office of the local online media 'Arctic Observer':
"According to them [authorities ], the reason [for the search] was some information indicating that I was collecting information that could be classified as a state secret, - the editor-in-chief of the Arctic Observer told the Barents Observer - Allegedly, I was collecting sensitive information regarding the “special operation” [war in Ukraine] - the number of dead, mobilized, etc. We have never done anything like that... But I do ask a lot of questions at press conferences, though…. I ask questions, uncomfortable questions.”
In early December 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called Russia "the world's fifth largest jailer of journalists" and called for the unconditional release of the journalists:
“Russia currently holds 38 reporters — 19 Russians and 19 Ukrainians — in prison for doing their jobs and refusing to spread Kremlin propaganda,” RSF stated.
