It’s not often that I’m left speechless, but as I sat down to write a quick update about Meduza, the reader-supported Russian news site Mother Jones and other independent newsrooms are rallying support for, I am.
Because I just watched their video where several immensely brave Russian journalists look directly into the camera, defiantly talking to you and me and countless other international allies who support the truth, about the gravity of what’s happening in Russia.
They explain why their work matters right now far better than I can, so I hope you’ll take a moment this evening to hear from them, and that you’ll join the effort for independent news readers in the EU and US to help replace the 30,000 members Meduza suddenly lost. And if you already signed up to support them, thank you so much—still watch their powerful video and please share it to help reach more people.
Here’s the letter they wrote to all of us accompanying the video:
We need your help. Right now.
The Kremlin is doing everything in its power to hide the truth about its war against Ukraine. Russia is under military censorship. The authorities prohibit the press from calling this full-scale invasion of Ukraine a war, and they threaten journalists who publish independently verified information about the conflict with up to 15 years in prison.
Meduza was launched in Europe in 2014, shortly after Russia annexed Crimea. For eight years, we have worked to produce independent journalism under the most unfavorable conditions. Millions of people in Russia now rely on our reporting. But a few days ago, our journalists were forced to leave the country.
Since the outbreak of this war, transferring money from Russia to Europe has been impossible. We lost 30,000 donors. At the moment, we get no money from Russia at all.
In this situation, we turn to you. We ask you to take the place of our dedicated supporters in Russia. Save Meduza for our Russian readers—and for yourself.
We have a duty to tell the truth. We have millions of readers in Russia who need us. Without independent journalism, it will be impossible to stop this monstrous war.
Sincerely yours,
Meduza
Their fight is our fight, and there’s more from me here about what’s happening and why Mother Jones, along with several other independent newsrooms in the EU and US, are asking our readers to become Meduza supporters right now.
It’s been so inspiring seeing an international movement for truth, democracy, and fearless journalism start to take shape supporting both Russian and Ukrainian reporting at this moment of need, and I hope you’ll take part and help if you can.
If you haven’t already, please hear what’s happening directly from Meduza and sign up to replace one of their cut-off supporters in Russia today—and please share the video far and wide if you already have.
Thanks for reading, and for everything you to do show up for independent journalism.