A fight for a voice – Dmitry Muratov

 

Dmitry Muratov jumped into the limelight recently after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee focused on the reality of the world we live in. A world in which geopolitical battles fought through media narratives and protests against the control of information are increasingly frequent. The Committee labeled the newspaper as righteous and stated that Novaya Gazeta is the most independent newspaper in Russia today, with a fundamentally critical attitude towards power. The newspaper’s fact-based journalism and professional integrity made it an important source of information on censurable aspects regarding Russian society which are barely mentioned in other media

Mr Muratov is the co-founder and editor of Novaya Gazeta, which has been standing up for press freedom and freedom of speech in Russia for decades, two fundamental rights that have come under heavy attack in Russia and in other parts of the world, under increasingly challenging conditions. An initial boost for the paper came from the former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who donated part of his 1990 Nobel Peace Prize award to pay for material and salaries. Muratov and Novaya Gazeta's other founders were inspired by the newfound freedoms that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. Already six journalists who collaborated with the newspaper have been murdered and their memory lives on today through the struggle being waged against the constant oppression of the Russian Government. It is simply not safe to be a true journalist in Russia, but Mr. Muratov gained a reputation for hard-hitting journalism on topics including the 2014 downing of flight MH17 and the 2016 Panama Papers leaks into offshore dealings. Despite all the attacks, he continued his intrepid work in the newspaper.

Today, there is a democratic slide in Eastern Europe as well as in many other parts of the planet, and by awarding prizes to members of the press, the Nobel Committee recognises that investigative journalism represents, more than ever, a powerful tool in the fight against global authoritarianism. The crisis facing journalism is entangled with the crisis of democracy. The award of this prize to a journalist is a direct attack on authoritarianism and an important step in the struggle to defend human rights, both in Russia and around the world.

Activists and human rights defenders like Dmitry Muratov are often on the frontline of intimidation and harassment by the authorities in their illegitimate attempt to limit the exercise of freedom of expression, assembly, and the press as much as possible. Many governments speak of the wide-ranging freedom of expression experienced in the world and in various constitutions, but the reality is not so free. Our right to request, receive and share ideas without fear of legal oppression is a key to education.

Dmitry Muratov is not alone in this fight against authoritarianism and "insidious manipulation" of the media, but he promises to continue to use his influence in areas that transcend press freedom, particularly in helping children suffering from spinal muscular atrophy, a rare muscle-wasting disorder whose treatments are incredibly expensive.

We live in a world more interconnected than ever, and while radio, television and newspapers have brought us closer together in a unique way as a species, we increasingly barricade ourselves in hatred and control. Mr Muratov's work is nothing new, but it must continue, be developed, and made well-known. In an age of information and misinformation, what is needed above all is education. We need to foster the possibility of freedom, for it is from this that all other human rights emanate. Dmitry Muratov is a brave and a courageous example of the love for freedom.