On 10 April 2026, Russia鈥檚 Ministry of Justice newspaper Novaya Gazeta as a 聽鈥渇oreign agent鈥�. Authorities that the outlet spread 鈥渇ake news 鈥� about the decisions of the Russian government, opposed Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and participated in the creation and dissemination of content created by other 鈥渇oreign agents鈥�, among other accusations.
Novaya Gazeta is known as one of Russia’s first independent media outlets, founded in 1993 and committed to values of independent journalism. Its historic editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, jointly with Philippine journalist Maria Ressa.
Initially adopted in 2012, Russia鈥檚 law on foreign agents has been revised several times over the past decade to include an ever-wider range of potential targets for state-sponsored discrimination. Currently, any organization, media or private individual聽聽as such simply by being declared to be 鈥渦nder foreign influence鈥� by the Russian Ministry of Justice or because of receiving funds of any amount from abroad (or from an entity itself receiving foreign funds). 鈥淔oreign agents鈥� are barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors and providing expertise on environmental issues, among multiple other restrictions.