Moscow court fines journalist Kolomytsenko for participating in Meduza podcast

Moscow court imposed a fine of 15,000 rubles on journalist Maria Kolomytsenko for participating in a podcast episode by Meduza, an outlet banned in Russia.

Moscow court handed down a 15,000 ruble monetary fine to journalist Maria Kolomytsenko for her participation in a podcast episode by the outlet Meduza. This represents an ongoing trend in which Russian authorities punish journalists for cooperation with banned media outlets.

Meduza is a Russian-language independent outlet based in Riga, the capital of Latvia, which was declared an undesirable organization in Russia in 2021 and added to the list of banned structures. Since then, those who cooperate with Meduza's content or distribute it have faced threats of fines and criminal penalties.

Kolomytsenko's case illustrates the broader growth of media pressure in Russia, where even participation in a podcast episode can result in court punishment. Such practices keep many journalists and public figures in Russia fearful as they consider cooperation with independent foreign outlets.