This page is updated monthly.
Latest update: 23.08.2024
DATASET DESCRIPTION
In this dataset we are collecting cases of politically motivated persecution and pressure on journalists and media. These include prosecution under the Code of Administrative Offences, recognition as a «foreign agent», detention while working at protests, beatings, fines, blocking of web resources, etc.
More data on criminal cases can be found via this link.
WHO DO WE CONSIDER TO BE JOURNALISTS?
We consider journalists the individuals who have worked and/or are currently working in the media or unregistered publications since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, have published or are publishing information materials (photos, videos, texts, podcasts) to a broad audience and on a regular basis on Telegram, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc. In addition to those who are directly involved in the production of content (journalists themselves, and program anchors), we also classify as journalists those who are responsible for its publication and distribution (editorial staff: editors, proofreaders, etc.).
WHAT DO WE CONSIDER POLITICALLY MOTIVATED PERSECUTION?
Political persecution or political repression are the unlawful actions of the state, the deliberate deprivation of fundamental rights and freedoms. These actions are aimed at fighting against opponents: individuals, groups and organizations that, from the government officials’ standpoint, interfere with their political interests.
We consider the persecution political, if it aims at:
- suppression of non-violent political protest;
- suppression of criticism of authorities and plurality of opinions;
- limiting the possibilities of legal political struggle for governmental opponents, ranging from participation in elections to media representation;
- building of state ideology, politics of memory and identity and fighting the dissident thought.
WHERE DO WE GET THE DATA?
We receive information about politically motivated persecution from various sources. OVD-Info monitors the media, social networks, and the websites of Russian government institutions (prosecutor’s offices, courts) daily. In addition, some information is provided to us by individuals directly facing political persecution, their relatives, and their lawyers cooperating with and supported by us. We also use information from other advocacy and research organizations working in similar fields.