Dear readers and friends of VTimes,
We are forced to inform you that we do not see an opportunity to continue publishing.
In the three weeks since the Justice Department added the vtimes.io website’s administrator to its list of "foreign agent" media, we have studied seven scenarios for the continuation of VTimes' activities — with or without this status. In each scenario, there was a risk of criminal prosecution of our employees with the possibility of imprisonment.
But the reason for our decision is not just out of fear of criminal prosecution for honestly performing our professional duty. When we launched VTimes last year, we announced that we were not creating a propaganda tool, but a high-quality and independent media outlet and a platform for the free exchange of constructive opinions.
We stated that we want to find positive examples and ideas for the development of business and society — without turning a blind eye to existing problems and not avoiding acute topics, naturally.
And today we are proud to say: We did it! But we have seen for ourselves that the authorities have no need for professional, non-government-controlled media.
The "foreign agent” label assigned to the website administrator of vtimes.io has destroyed VTimes’ business model, and we created this publication exactly as a business. Advertisers and partners do not understand how to cooperate with an "inoagent (the abbreviation for 'foreign agent' in Russian – Ed.)" – and we cannot blame them for this. Voluntary donations from readers are not enough to fund a high-quality media outlet.
Even worse, the status of "foreign agent" deprives VTimes of most of its coverage: Many officials, businessmen and even analysts are afraid to give comments to "foreign agents" – and we also understand why that is. Essentially, VTimes is being pushed into the opposition political media niche. But we envisioned and have created a completely different outlet.
Therefore, we have decided to stop publishing VTimes on June 12, Russia's Independence Day.
We thank you, dear readers and partners, for being with us! We thank our ambassadors for their courage and support! We thank our donors, whose support has greatly helped us make VTimes even better! From June 12, fundraising will cease, and the funds already collected will be used to fulfill obligations to employees and partners.
Once again, a huge thank you to everyone! Closing the VTimes project does not mean that we are abandoning our principles and leaving the profession.
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.
