Smuggles Critical Russian Journalist Opposed to Ukraine Conflict to France: Reporters without Borders
Rewritten Article:
Ekaterina Barabash, a Ukrainian-born journalist critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has found refuge in France, thanks to the aid of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Addressing a press conference at RSF headquarters, Paris, Barabash expressed her gratitude towards the organization. "Many thanks for your assistance," she said in English. "My journey wasn't a walk in the park. It was tough, and I'm unable to share all the intricate details with you."
Barabash, 64, had been detained in February on charges of disseminating "false information" regarding the Russian military on her social media profiles. The authorities became aware of her disappearance in April.
Russia has labeled dozens, if not thousands, of people as "discreditors" of the army since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This is now a punishable offense.
Barabash had previously written for various news outlets, including the Russian service of FRANCE 24's sister station, Radio France Internationale. As a vocal critic of Moscow's military offensive against Ukraine, she has often been outspoken.
Just a few months ago, Barabash took to Facebook, sharing her views on the ongoing conflict. "Russia has decimated the country, flattening entire cities," she stated. "Days before my arrest, I wrote about the hatred and the destruction of lives."
Russia outlawed criticism of the army and its operations in Ukraine soon after the conflict began. Human rights groups argue that Moscow is using these laws to suppress dissent, launching an extraordinary crackdown on dissidents.
Marina Ovsyannikova, a former Russian state television journalist, also sought RSF's aid. She had protested against the Ukraine conflict during a broadcast, eventually escaping Russia after being released from house arrest, assisted by RSF.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, additional insights from Reporters Without Borders)
In essence, Reporters Without Borders has been instrumental in helping critical Russian journalists during the Ukraine conflict. By secretly helping them flee from Russia to safer countries such as France, RSF has safeguarded the livelihoods of these journalists and ensured the survival of independent journalism under Kremlin suppression[2][3][5]. While the details of their expeditions are often shrouded in secrecy, their impact is undeniable: they have been able to continue reporting on the conflict free from harassment, imprisonment, and other forms of intimidation.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine have led to a significant increase in politics surrounding general news, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) playing a crucial role in providing refuge and protection for critical journalists, such as Ekaterina Barabash and Marina Ovsyannikova, who face persecution for their reporting.
- The Kremlin's suppression of independent journalism has been pronounced, with the outlawing of criticism of the army and its operations in Ukraine, resulting in dozens, if not thousands, of journalists being labeled as "discreditors" and subjected to harsh penalties. Organizations like Reporters Without Borders have been instrumental in helping these journalists escape and continue their important work.
