How a Dutchman lifted Russian journalism from his knees

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Derek Sauer – Dutch by birth, over 30 years in Russian journalism managed to create the Vedomosti newspaper, the Independent Media publishing house and work as the president of RBC! He now runs the Moscow Times newspaper and, in a witty interview with the BBC Russian Service, spoke about freedom in the media and the publisher’s personal experience.

According to Sauer, the main problem of Russian journalism is the isolation policy pursued by the authorities, desperately trying to control the media, which in itself contradicts the freedom of journalism. Sauer quite honestly stated that the existence of an independent publication that does not conduct a dialogue with the Kremlin is banal in the current realities.

Remembering the creation of Vedomosti, Sauer noted with sadness that precisely because of the current government, the media have to maneuver. He also noted that he was admired by journalists who find the strength to fight state arbitrariness and infringement of the rights of publications. Sauer’s forecast is not encouraging, saying that the exploitation of the media by technology companies is killing free journalism, and something can only change if the US and European authorities take drastic measures.

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