Andrea Innocenti A statement published online confirmed that a historic newspaper with three decades of physical presence in its building has decided to cease operations in Russia starting November 9. In the message, journalists denounced being forced into a situation where they could no longer continue their work and announced definitive measures: turning off the lights in the headquarters, shutting down the servers, and abandoning the premises that housed the editorial office for 30 years.
This communication marks a clear split between the media and the national authorities.
The editorial team's decision and words
In the public statement, the editorial team used very harsh words to describe the outcome of the pressure they had been subjected to: " We have been killed. On November 9th, we will turn off the lights in our building; we will shut down the servers and we will leave.
The newspaper no longer exists." These sentences underscore the perception of a total loss of autonomous operating conditions. The announcement specifies concrete and irreversible actions, with a clear reference to the date on which the indicated measures will be implemented. The emphasis on physical actions—turning off the lights and servers—provides a clear image of the suspension of editorial activities across the country.
Accusations against the institutions
In the statement, the editorial staff attributes responsibility for the closure to the authorities and national security services, stating that these bodies forced the editorial staff to cease publication. This institutional accusation is central to the message, presented as the immediate cause of the final decision. The statement links the operational restrictions experienced in previous years to an escalation culminating in the decision to close operations in Russia, suggesting a picture of constant and growing pressure on editorial freedoms.
Recent history of the newspaper and evolution of the editorial staff
The newspaper had long been facing constraints and restrictions: restrictions were imposed as early as 2022, impacting journalistic and operational work. Over the past few years, part of the editorial staff had left the country to continue operations from another location and pursue a European version of the editorial project. This group abroad maintained its editorial commitment, while the remaining team ultimately chose to cease local operations. This situation demonstrates a fragmentation of editorial work between foreign operations and internal challenges.
The transition to a foreign presence
Relocating parts of the editorial staff abroad and continuing its work within a European context are a viable response to perceived restrictions and threats. While unable to guarantee the continuity of publications in Russia, the staff remaining abroad have safeguarded the possibility of continuing an independent editorial line, albeit in a different form and context than their historic 30-year physical presence. This dual structure demonstrates how editorial staff can adapt their activities between local and international contexts to preserve their information mission.
The decision to permanently shut down the country's physical facilities and IT systems marks a symbolic and practical break: the newspaper declares the end of local publications while the journalists who have left the territory continue their work from another base. The announcement and the wording used underscore the gravity of the decision and the pressure it exerts on the press, painting a picture of disruption that will have repercussions on news coverage and the presence of critical voices within the country.