Index remembers Anna Politkovskaya

A man lays flowers near the picture of murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya, during a rally in Moscow, Russia, 7 October 2009. CREDIT: EPA / Alamy Stock Photo

A man lays flowers near the picture of murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya, during a rally in Moscow, Russia, 7 October 2009. CREDIT: EPA / Alamy Stock Photo

On 7 October 2006 investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed in her apartment building in Moscow. In the latest issue of Index on Censorship magazine, Russian journalist Andrey Arkhangelsky reflects on Politkovskaya’s legacy 10 years on and looks at the state of journalism in the country today.

Politkovskaya, who worked for newspaper Novaya Gazetta, was known for her investigative reporting, particularly looking into the atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Chechnya, and her criticism of the Putin administration.

She was a recipient of an Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award in 2002.

Ahead of the anniversary of her death, Index has compiled a reading list of articles written for the magazine both by Politkovskaya and about her. The collection also includes articles exploring media freedom in Russia and why the deaths are Russian journalists seem to go unnoticed and uninvestigated.

From The Cadet Affair: the Disappeared, from the winter 2010 issue of Index on Censorship magazine

From The Cadet Affair: the Disappeared; an extract, written by Anna Politkovskaya, was published in the winter 2010 issue of Index on Censorship magazine

From The Cadet Affair: the Disappeared

December 2010; vol. 39, 4: pp. 209-210.

In 2010 Index published this extract from Nothing But the Truth: Selected Dispatches, a collection of Politkovskaya’s best writings. In this piece, she writes about the disappeared in Chechnya.

Standing Alone

January 2002; vol. 31, 1: pp. 30-34.

An interview with Politkovskaya who, at the time of publication, was living in Vienna, having been sent there for her own safety by Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Noveya Gazetta, after receiving threats from high-ranking officials who had been annoyed by her reports from Chechnya.

Codes of conduct

March 2012; vol. 41, 1: pp. 85-95.

Irena Maryniak considers the hidden network of relationships that continue to shape Russian society, undermine the rule of law and protect the status quo. In this article Maryniak highlights Politkovskaya’s concerns of the effects of the Kremlin’s reach and her work reporting on the atrocities inflicted on the Chechen population by the Russian armed forces and the Russian-backed administration of Akhmad Kadyrov.

Years of Living Dangerously      

November 2009; vol. 38, 4: pp. 44-58.

Grit in the engine by Robert McCrum, in the 40 year anniversary issue of Index on Censorship magazine.

Grit in the engine by Robert McCrum, in the 40 year anniversary issue of Index on Censorship magazine.

Maria Eismont talks to Dmitry Muratov, editor of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, at which Politkovskaya spent seven years as a journalist, about his struggle for press freedom and justice in Russia.

Stopping the Killers

November 2009; vol. 38, 4: pp. 31-43.

In this article Joel Simon, of the Committee to Protect Journalists, discusses how impunity is an urgent issue facing press freedom campaigners; and, after reflecting on Politkovskaya’s murder, outlines a roadmap for action

The Big Squeeze   

February 2008; vol. 37, 1: pp. 26-34.

Edward Lucas explains how during Putin’s presidency media freedom has moved from the imperfect to the moribund, in an adaption from his book The New Cold War: how the Kremlin menaces Russia and the West.

Grit in the engine

March 2012; vol. 41, 1: pp. 12-20.

Into the future from the winter 2005 issue of Index on Censorship magazine

Into the Future; Index interviews Anna Politkovskaya in the winter 2005 issue of Index on Censorship magazine.

Robert McCrum considers Index’s role in the history of the fight for free speech, from the oppression of the Cold War to censorship online; and highlights how Politkovskaya turned to Index for help in making the west understand the dangers Russian journalists face.

Into the Future  

November 2005; vol. 34, 4: pp. 120-125.

Index interviews Politkovskaya at the Edinburgh Festival, in which she discusses the future of Russia.

“We lost journalism in Russia”

September 2015; vol. 44, 3: pp. 32-35.

Andrei Aliaksandrau examines the evolution of censorship in Russia, from Soviet institutions to today’s blend of influence and pressure.

Power of the pen

December 2010; vol. 39, 4: pp. 17-23.

Carole Seymour-Jones celebrates the achievements of 50 years of fighting for authors’ freedoms and explains why there is so much more work to be done.

 

You can read Andrey Arkhangelsky’s article by subscribing to the magazine or taking out a digital subscription from anywhere in the world via Exact Editions (just £18* for the year). Each magazine sale helps Index on Censorship fight for free expression worldwide.

*Will be charged at local exchange rate outside the UK.

Magazines are also on sale in bookshops, including at the BFI and MagCulture in London, News from Nowhere in Liverpool and Home in Manchester; as well as on Amazon and iTunes. MagCulture will ship to anywhere in the world.

Elsewhere… Anna Politkovskaya Award 2013 (4th October)

AP_AWARD_2013

 

HOSTED BY RAW IN WAR the Annual Anna Politkovskaya Award celebrates outstanding women human rights defenders working in conflict zones.

On the eve of Anna Politkovskaya’s murder, join RAW in WAR for an evening of music, theatre and discussion with some very special guests to remember Anna on the eve of the anniversary of her murder on 7th October.

Including a special performance from world famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, a rare live performance of ‘Something Inside So Strong’ by Labi Siffre and guest of honour Sir Nicholas Winton – the ‘British Schindler’ who rescued 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia in 1939.

What: Anna Politkovskaya Award 2013
When: 7.45pm, Friday 4th October 2013
Where: Southbank Centre, London

Tickets: Click here

 

ELSEWHERE are events hosted and run by organisations other than Index; instances of thinking, speaking or acting freely that we applaud and support.

A former police officer detained for murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya

Russian investigators have detained a former lieutenant police colonel as a suspect in the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. The campaigning reporter was openly critical of Russia’s involvement in Chechnya. According to the latest investigation, Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov was offered cash to murder Politkovskaya, and he was a part of a group aiming to kill her, including Rustam Makhmudov. Makhmudov was arrested on 31 May for allegedly shooting Politkovskaya. There are also allegations that Pavlyucenkov used his position as lieutenant police colonel to monitor the movements of the journalist.