Fifteen journalists who have fled Russia amid war take refuge in Turkey

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

In the face of increasing pressure amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many journalists had to flee Russia. About 150 journalists have reportedly left the country so far.

Especially after on March 4, when a new law imposing a 15-year prison sentence for "sharing fake news" and discrediting the army, more journalists left the country.

Most of the journalists who left Russia are reportedly working for independent media outlets. Erol Önderoğlu, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) representative for Turkey, said 15 journalists from Russia have arrived in Turkey "for now."

The journalists' names are not disclosed due to security concerns. Almost all journalists working for Meduza news portal, about 20 people, have reportedly left the country.

Tikhon Dzyadko, a journalist working for TV Rain, the largest media outlet in Russia critical of the government, has also reportedly left Russia.

Local organizations and solidarity

"As Russia has censored journalists and harassed them for years with 'foreign agent' status, journalists had no option but to leave the country after it shut down the Western media and dictated the national media what to report amid the Ukraine war," said Önderoğlu.

Many of the journalists came to Turkey to reach a safe place, he said. "They aim to go to countries where they have family members or countries where they can do journalism in their own language."

Generally, journalists who fled Russia are trying to reach Georgia or Eastern European countries, he noted.

Local media outlets should be prepared as the conditions may further worsen, Önderoğlu said, adding, "It seems quite important that our local organizations should launch campaigns about sheltering and basic needs." (HA/VK)