What's happened
On August 27, 2024, Russia's FSB announced criminal charges against Deutsche Welle's Nick Connolly and Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Nahorna for illegally crossing into the Kursk region. This follows previous charges against several foreign journalists amid heightened tensions over Ukraine's recent military actions in the area.
What's behind the headline?
Impact on Journalism
- Intimidation Tactics: The charges against journalists signal a broader strategy by Russia to deter foreign media from covering the conflict.
- Legal Precedents: These actions may set a precedent for future legal actions against journalists operating in conflict zones.
Future Reporting Challenges
- Increased Risks: Journalists may face heightened risks when reporting from Ukraine or Russian-held territories.
- International Response: The international community's reaction could influence Russia's approach to foreign media.
Conflicting Perspectives
- Russian Justification: The FSB claims these actions are necessary to uphold national security.
- Media Defense: Journalists argue their reporting is protected under international law, emphasizing their role in providing factual coverage of the conflict.
What the papers say
According to The Moscow Times, the FSB has filed charges against Nick Connolly and Nataliya Nahorna for illegally crossing the border, stating that if convicted, they could face up to five years in prison. CNN, which previously faced similar charges against its reporter Nick Paton Walsh, defended its team, asserting that their reporting was conducted under the protections afforded by the Geneva Convention. The New York Times highlighted that the Russian government's actions appear aimed at intimidating those covering its military failures in the region. Politico noted that the FSB plans to place the journalists on an international wanted list, further escalating the situation.
How we got here
Tensions have escalated following Ukraine's surprise incursion into the Kursk region on August 6, 2024, which resulted in significant territorial gains. In response, Russian authorities have targeted foreign journalists reporting from the area, claiming violations of border laws.
Go deeper
- What are the implications for foreign journalists in Russia?
- How has the international community reacted to these charges?
- What legal protections do journalists have in conflict zones?
More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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CNN is an American news-based pay television channel owned by CNN Worldwide, a unit of the WarnerMedia News & Sports division of AT&T's WarnerMedia.
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The Moscow Times is an English-language online-only newspaper based in Moscow. It was in print from 1992 until 2017, with a peak circulation of 55,000.
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The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the USSR's KGB.
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Nick Paton Walsh is a British journalist who is a Senior International correspondent with CNN. He has been CNN's Kabul Correspondent, an Asia and foreign affairs correspondent for the UK's Channel 4 News, and Moscow correspondent for The Guardian newspape