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A month-long investigation of the attack on Russian journalist Oleg Kashin has not come with up any motives. But for journalists and the public, one thing is clear – the censorship of critical remarks in the media is getting tougher.
Oleg Kashin is a reporter with Russia's "Kommersant" newspaper.
He was recently beaten very brutally in central Moscow.
[...]
[Oleg Kashin, Journalist]:
"None of the things I covered had that decisive weight which, when put on the scale would determine - yes, this is it. I really don't know why this happened."
Other journalists have noted that articles written by Oleg Kashin exceeded the allowable openness in modern Russia.
But Kashin is convinced that just five years ago the materials on which he worked recently, were not considered provocative - which means that censorship is tightening up.
The same evening at a ceremony in Ostankino TV tower in Moscow, a special prize was awarded to Leonid Parfenov - a prominent Russian journalist.
He noted that the problems raised by Oleg Kashin are not discussed on TV, because they are censored by the authorities.
Journalists are concerned over losing the trust of their readers due to censorship.
In an annual ranking of press freedom, “Reporters without Borders” puts Russia close to the bottom of the list - in the 140th place.
Reporters Without Borders champions journalists and freedom of the press.
The organization notes that the overall situation in regards to Russian press freedom has not changed: "control over the system does not weaken, there is an absolute impunity in regard to crimes against journalists."
[...]
Now Russia is number eight on a world list of countries with unpunished crimes against media professionals.
In order to protect the work of journalists, governmental organizations have recently developed a draft law on Special Measures to Protect Journalists.
NTD News, Moscow, Russia
