Ovsyannikova, 43, was hired as an independent correspondent for the newspaper and TV channel Die Welt, Axel Springer said on Monday. “WELT stands for what the courageous people of Ukraine are so strongly advocating on the ground right now: freedom,” she said in a statement announcing her recruitment. “I see it as my duty as a journalist to defend this freedom.” On March 14, Ovsyannikova ran on the set of Russian state television’s top program on Channel One, holding a “NO WAR” sign. In a pre-recorded message before her protest, she said she had a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father and was ashamed that she had worked for “Kremlin propaganda” while on Channel One. “I am ashamed that I allowed lies to be told on television screens. “I am ashamed that I left the Russian people to fend for themselves,” Ovsyannikova said in a statement. Putin’s purge of “traitors” brings together retirees, gourmets and pacifists A Russian court later found her guilty of organizing an illegal demonstration and fined her about $ 360. Ulf Poschardt, editor-in-chief of the Welt Group, praised Ovsyannikova for her courage in announcing her recruitment. “At a critical juncture, Marina Ovsyannikova had the courage to confront Russian viewers with a generous view of reality,” Poschardt said. “In this way, he defended the most important journalistic ethics – despite the threat of state repression.” Axel Springer did not say whether Obsyannikova would remain in Russia or whether she would be mentioned by Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a new crackdown on the country’s media following the invasion of Ukraine. Under a law signed last month, journalists face up to 15 years in prison if they spread what the Kremlin calls “fake news” – for example, using the terms “invasion” or “war” rather than the one approved by the “special” state. military operation”. At least 150 journalists have fled the country, according to Russian media. While some have pledged to continue reporting in exile, censorship and physical disengagement from local sources and the public will hamper their ability to tell the Russians the truth about the war, said Robert Mahoney, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. , wrote in an op- ed last month. The Kremlin has also blocked or restricted access to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as Western media outlets such as British Broadcasting Corp., Germany’s Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe, making it harder to crack. of Putin’s propaganda curtain. Although Russians can still watch news on YouTube and the Telegram messaging app, older Russians tend to get most of their news from traditional sources such as television and newspapers. Russia ranks 150th out of 180 countries in the latest Global Press Freedom Index, compiled by the nonprofit Reporters Without Borders.
