Dmitry Muratov

Dmitry Muratov (born October 30, 1961, Kuybyshev, Russia, U.S.S.R. [now Samara, Russia]) Russian journalist who, as editor in chief of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta (1995– ; “New Gazette”), was a vocal advocate for an independent press, known for investigating abuses of power. In 2021 he was awarded (with Philippine journalist Maria Ressa) the Nobel Prize for Peace, cited for his “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.”

After studying at Kuybyshev State University (now Samara State University), Muratov served in the Soviet army for several years. In the mid-1980s he began working as a newspaper reporter at Volzhsky Komsomolets (“Volzhsky Young Communist Leaguer”), and he later moved to Komsomolskaya Pravda (“Young Communist League Truth”). In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed, and restrictions on news media were subsequently lifted. Two years later Muratov and other journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda founded Novaya Gazeta. The pro-democratic newspaper was reportedly assisted by former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, who gave it a portion of his award money from the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize. Muratov began as deputy editor in chief, and he later served as a correspondent during the 1994–95 conflict in Chechnya. In 1995 Muratov became the editor in chief. Although he stepped down in 2017, he returned to the post two years later.

Under Muratov’s oversight, Novaya Gazeta became known for its investigations into corruption, human rights abuses, electoral fraud, police violence, and other misuses of power. In 2016 it was involved in the publishing of the so-called Panama Papers, confidential documents from a Panama-based law firm that had assisted companies and individuals from around the world in hiding their wealth. Such stories appeared despite intensifying efforts by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to control the country’s media in the early 21st century. As many news outlets were forced to close or alter coverage, Novaya Gazeta emerged as Russia’s leading independent newspaper.

Attacks against the paper were deadly at times. In the 2000s six of Novaya Gazeta’s journalists were murdered, including Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed in 2006 while covering human rights abuses in Chechnya. Muratov, widely seen as the face of the newspaper, also received threats, but he continually stated his commitment to a free press. Russian media faced further challenges after the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Amid a worldwide backlash that included protests in Russia, Putin cracked down on the press, causing most independent outlets to close. Novaya Gazeta initially continued to operate, though it was forced to stop reporting on the war. In March 2022, however, the newspaper suspended operations due to “military censorship.” The following month Muratov was attacked on a train by a man who threw red paint mixed with acetone at him. Although Muratov suffered chemical burns, he was not severely injured. In June 2022 he auctioned off his Nobel Prize medal to raise money for Ukrainian refugees, and it sold for a record $103.5 million.

Muratov was the recipient of various honours, including the International Press Freedom Award (2007) from the Committee to Protect Journalists. In awarding Muratov and Ressa its Peace Prize in 2021, the Norwegian Nobel Committee noted the difficult conditions facing journalists worldwide and that “freedom of expression…is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”