Brutal Censorship: Targeting Journalists in the North Caucasus

The National Endowment for Democracy presents:

Brutal Censorship: Targeting Journalists in the North Caucasus

Although freedom of speech is guaranteed in Russia's constitution, at least nineteen Russian journalists have been murdered on account of their work since the beginning of Vladimir Putin's tenure in 1999. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Russia is now a more dangerous place for journalists than it was during the Cold War. It is the third most deadly country in the world for the press and the ninth worst in solving murders of journalists—despite its otherwise strong record in criminal prosecution. While journalists are targeted for reporting on a variety of subjects, those covering events in the North Caucasus are particularly vulnerable. Fatima Tlisova, an award-winning journalist with over ten years of experience in the North Caucasus, will discuss press persecution in Russia and profile the experiences of eight exiled journalists. She will analyze what can be learned about Russia's approach to a free press through the techniques it employs to censor independent media and silence individuals. Her presentation will be followed by comments by Jon Sawyer.

Featuring: Fatima Tlisova, Pulitzer Center journalist and Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow. With comments by: Jon Sawyer, executive cirector of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

This event will take place on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 12:00 noon–2:00 p.m. (Lunch served 12:00–12:30 pm). Located at 1025 F. Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. For more information call: 202-378-9675.