One of Russia's most internationally renowned journalists, Masha Gessen, has said that she will probably move to New York to join her son, who is studying in the U.S.
Gessen, 46, moved with her family to the U.S. in 1981, returning to Moscow to establish a career as a journalist covering Russia for The New Republic, Slate and the New York Times.
In an interview to New Zealand-based online journal The Lumiere Reader, Gessen cited a loss of hope in Russia's future as the main reason why she would leave.
Gessen, a former columnist for The Moscow Times, has authored several books on Russia, including a critical biography of President Vladimir Putin titled "The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin" — a work she says was written in secret, with only her partner and editor knowing about it before publication.
A prominent LGBT rights proponent, Gessen is currently working on a book about embattled all-female punk band Pussy Riot.
In April, Gessen quit as director of the Russian-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after seven months in the job to write a book on the Boston Marathon bombings. The book is set to be published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Group.
Gessen's tenure at Radio Liberty was rocky, with many staff being fired and many more resigning in a show of solidarity.
Following her sacking from the Vokrug Sveta magazine in September, Gessen met with Putin in the Kremlin, where she was given the chance to "argue" over many of her works with the head of state.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
