European Parliament members have condemned the closure of Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, calling it a sign of an authoritarian crackdown on independent journalism and citizens’ access to information.
What Parliament is doing
The statement was issued jointly today by leading Members of the European Parliament and originates from the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights. It expresses concern over the recent shutdown of Novaya Gazeta and frames the action as part of a broader pattern by an authoritarian regime to restrict access to the truth.
Why it matters
The MEPs’ joint statement characterises the closure as a step that reflects fear on the part of authorities about what citizens can learn. By highlighting Novaya Gazeta specifically, the Parliament’s human rights subcommittee draws attention to media freedom and the protection of independent journalism as core democratic concerns. The statement implicitly raises questions about the environment for press freedom and the safety of journalists where independent outlets are forced to close.
What happens next
The press release presents the joint statement as the subcommittee’s immediate public response. It does not set out specific legislative measures, sanctions, or procedural follow-ups in the text. No further actions or dates are provided in the statement itself.
The press release is recorded as an official European Parliament communication from 2026 and is published under the Parliament’s press-room channels. The Subcommittee on Human Rights is identified as the source of the joint statement.
Source: European Parliament press release
