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Since the attack on Ukraine in February 2022, there has been virtually no media freedom in Russia and the population mainly receives information from state-controlled television. Russia ranks 155th out of 180 in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking.
Russian domestic intelligence has arrested American and Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich (32) for alleged espionage.
But the Russian state is now threatening even critical journalists abroad – the one responsible for Eastern Europe at the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” is currently undergoing it.
Five to seven years in prison threatened
The Russian embassy in Bern is very displeased with a report from a journalist from the Russian-occupied part of the Zaporizhia region. In it, the Swiss reported that women handed out pastries to Russian soldiers with laxatives.
The Russian representation in Bern has now responded to the article with a press release. The journalist is mentioned by name and “pointed out the criminal provisions that could apply to his statements in Russia”. We are talking about a fine or a prison sentence of five to seven years that journalists can expect when they enter Russia.
Big accusations
The journalist involved is the “NZZ” correspondent in Vienna and reported for the Swiss newspaper from Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the article, criticized by the Russian embassy, the author accepted “the most ridiculous fabrications and rumors spread by the Kiev regime and its accomplices”.
The journalist’s work is clearly aimed at “justifying terrorism and promoting hate speech,” the Russian embassy said in a statement.
The Federal Office for Foreign Affairs (EDA) is aware of the Russian letter. And condemn it. “This approach is unacceptable. We will unequivocally inform the Russian ambassador that freedom of information and media is guaranteed in the Swiss Federal Constitution,” the post on Blick said.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
