Paul
Goble
Staunton, August 23 – The Russian government
has now blocked the Fortanga portal for posting “information the distribution
of which is prohibited in the Russian Federation,” according to the government
declaration that now pops up when one tries to visit what has been an essential
source on the Ingush opposition (eais.rkn.gov.ru/).
Earlier, the authorities forced the
founding editor of the portal, Izabella Yevloyeva, to flee abroad, have harassed
journalists associated with the site, and periodically interrupted access. But
now they appear to have decided to take this final draconian step lest Fortanga.org
continue to operate.
For the last two years, this portal,
which is named for the river that marks the real as opposed to the
Yevkurov-Kadyrov one, has reported on protests in the republic and their resonance
outside. Windows on Eurasia and
other outlets have relied on it for news about that small North Caucasus
republic.
Whether those involved with Fortanga
will develop a workaround remains to be seen, but this action is especially
horrific in a small media market like that of Ingushetia. In places where there are many outlets, the closure
of one is unfortunate; but in small places where there are few, the shuttering
of even one is a tragedy.
What is especially worrisome is that
the authorities in Moscow and Magas will now feel that they are far freer to
act in ever-more repressive ways, confident that they have made it far more
difficult for their opponents to report what is taking place. Indeed, this is
another sign that the powers that be are getting ready for a massive show trial
there.
One can only hope that other outlets
will help fill the void left by the blocking of this most remarkable site. (For
background on Fortanga.org and its founder, see windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/03/izabella-yevloyeva-another-heroine-of.html.)
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