The award, announced to coincide with World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, recognises Novaya Gazeta’s focus on in-depth reporting at a time when many of Russia’s print and broadcast media have softened their news content or have come under control of Kremlin allies. The award will be presented at the IPI World Congress in Helsinki, Finland, on 7 June.

Novaya Gazeta has paid a high price for its independence – four of the paper’s journalists have been killed in the past decade. Among them is Anna Politkovskaya, right, who was shot dead in October 2006. Other staff members say they live in fear of reprisal for their work. Some reporters have dropped their bylines fearing retaliation, while others travel with bodyguards.

Gazeta Editor Dmitry Muratov said he was "truly grateful" for the award and the recognition of his staff and those who have lost their lives working for the Gazeta. "This award also belongs to those of us who sadly will not be able to see it with their own eyes. By this I mean our colleagues who died while carrying out their professional duties", Muratov said. "This reward is devoted to their memory. The paper’s newsroom features photos of four of its journalists killed since 2000: Igor Domnikov (bottom right), Yuri Shchekochikhin (left), Anna Politkovskaya and Anastasia Baburova (bottom left).

"Moreover, this prize is an opportunity for many journalists in our country who lost their faith in the possibility, under today’s conditions, to carry out an independent investigation of life, to serve the society and not the state. This award will give us confidence that this is still possible".

On the eve of the event the international human rights organization Freedom House published the report on media freedom worldwide. Out of the 195 countries the Russian Federation is rated 174 and considered to be one of the most dangerous countries to report from. Citing the report: “Most importantly, the Russian Federation, which serves as a model and patron for a number of neighboring countries, saw additional deterioration in 2008. Its score dropped from 78 to 80 owing to the consistent inability of the pliant judiciary to protect journalists; increased self-censorship by journalists in an effort to prevent harassment, closure of media outlets, and even murder; and the frequent targeting of independent outlets by regulators. Reporters suffer from a high level of personal insecurity, and impunity for past murders or physical attacks against journalists is the norm. State control or influence over almost all media outlets remains a serious concern, particularly as it affects the political landscape and Russians’ ability to make informed electoral choices. “

  • The annual Free Media Pioneer Award was established in 1996 to honor organizations that have fought to ensure freer and more independent media in their country. The award is co-sponsored by IPI and the U.S.-based Freedom Forum, a non-partisan, international foundation dedicated to free press and free speech.