RWB: Ramzan Kadyrov and Vladimir Putin included in list of enemies of freedom of information

In 2013, the organization "Reporters without Borders" (RWB) included Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, in its annual list of the enemies of freedom of information. In Chechnya, the fear of the regime has become the cause of self-censorship, which "is switched on at full capacity", and, in general in Russia, attacks and attempts on journalists "are regularly repeated," the RWB reports.

The international non-governmental organization "Reporters without Borders" celebrated the World Press Freedom Day of May 3 with the publication of its annual list of enemies of freedom of information. The list includes 39 heads of state, political and religious figures and leaders of criminal organizations who "continue to violate the freedom of speech, with complete contempt and in the situation of general indifference."

"The fear of the regime and the post-war traumas switch on self-censorship at full capacity. The personality of the President (of Chechnya) is the most forbidden taboo," the "Kommersant" quotes the explanation to the list as stating.

"For human rights defenders, Ramzan Kadyrov does actually carry some responsibility for the killings of Anna Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, well-known reporters of the newspaper 'Novaya Gazeta'," the authors of the list of enemies of freedom of information emphasize.

Vladimir Putin has been included in the list for the adopted laws that severely restrict freedom of information, including freedom of information on the Internet, the "Novaya Gazeta" quotes the RWB's explanation as stating.

In general, independent journalism in Russia is a risky activity, the authors of the list note.

"After Vladimir Putin had come to power, at least 29 journalists were killed for their professional activities. Attacks and attempts are repeated regularly, being supported by widespread impunity," the explanation states.