His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands recently visited the Amsterdam newsrooms of The Moscow Times and the independent Russian news broadcaster TV Rain. The King met with The Moscow Times founder Derk Sauer, publisher Alexander Gubsky, and TV Rain editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko to discuss the state of Russian journalism both in The Netherlands and abroad. One of the key topics of discussion was the challenge of combatting the Kremlin’s multibillion-dollar propaganda machine, which the King described as a strong weapon in the hands of the Kremlin.
The group also discussed the effective distribution of news inside Russia, the safety of journalists both on the ground and in exile, the media landscape in Russia’s regions, and the urgent need to find sustainable funding for newsroom operations amidst shrinking avenues for monetization. Sauer and Gubsky expressed gratitude to the King and members of the Dutch government for their assistance in relocating 80 Russian journalists to The Netherlands following the invasion of Ukraine. This support has played a crucial role in keeping the school of independent Russian journalism alive.
The Moscow Times, faced with unprecedented challenges, has been designated as an “undesirable” organization by Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, criminalizing their work and putting their staff at risk of prosecution. This comes after earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.” The authorities claim that The Moscow Times’ work discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership, but the journalists at The Moscow Times strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. Despite these obstacles, the journalists refuse to be silenced and are seeking support from readers to continue their work defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression.
The King’s visit to the newsrooms of The Moscow Times and TV Rain highlights the importance of supporting independent journalism and the challenges faced by journalists operating in Russia, where press freedom is increasingly under threat. The discussions between the King and the journalists focused on finding ways to counter the influence of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, ensure the safety of journalists, and secure funding for newsroom operations. The relocation of Russian journalists to The Netherlands with the help of the Dutch government is a testament to the efforts being made to support independent journalism amidst a challenging environment.
The visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander underscores the significance of international cooperation in supporting press freedom and independent journalism. The challenges faced by journalists in Russia, including censorship, threats, and legal prosecution, highlight the importance of continued support from the international community to protect the values of a free press. The King’s engagement with The Moscow Times and TV Rain is a symbol of solidarity with journalists working under difficult conditions and a recognition of the crucial role they play in providing accurate information to the public.
In the face of mounting pressure and censorship, the journalists at The Moscow Times are determined to continue their work and provide unbiased reporting on Russia. The support of readers is essential in enabling them to overcome the challenges they face and defend the principles of open journalism. By standing together with independent media outlets like The Moscow Times, readers can help ensure that the voices of journalists in Russia are not silenced and that the values of press freedom and free expression are upheld. The visit by King Willem-Alexander serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting independent journalism in preserving democratic values and promoting transparency in society.
