Journalists are the antidote to tyranny

In his speech, Muratov emphasized the dangerous work of journalists, who play an important role in defending democracy.

“In Russian, English and other languages, there is a saying: ‘Dogs are barking, but the caravan is going on.’ .

“It simply came to our notice then. The caravan is moving forward as the dogs bark. They roar and attack predators in the mountains and deserts. And moving forward is only possible when they accompany the caravan. ”

“It simply came to our notice then. We have canines and a strong grip. But we are a precondition for the movement. We are the antidote to tyranny, “said Muratov.

Dmitry Muratov, 60, is the editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. In 1993, he and his colleagues co-founded the newspaper, which has fought tirelessly for freedom of expression in Russia. Novaya Gazeta journalists have often published information that is bad for the Russian authorities.

The Nobel Committee notes that “New newspaper“Is Russia’s most independent newspaper, which has not shied away from criticizing the ruling government and publishing important information for the public, which is often withheld by other media.

Novaya Gazeta journalists have written about corruption, electoral fraud and “troll factories” spreading disinformation. The newspaper has exposed the arbitrariness of the police and the Russian military, both inside and outside Russia.

As a result, newspaper journalists have often had to face threats and retaliation. Six Novaya Gazeta journalists have been killed since the newspaper was set up.

Despite the threats and the killings of journalists, Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, has not resigned from the newspaper’s independent position. He defends the right of journalists to write on any subject, as long as the ethical standards of journalists are respected.

Muratov is the first Russian citizen to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. During the Soviet era, it was received by the physicist and human rights defender Andrei Sakharov (1975) and the President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev (1990).

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