Tag Archives: Marina Ovsyannikova

Alive And Well, Thanks To RSF!!!

Posted on by under education, Free Press Issues, Global Issues, History, Law and justice, Social commentary

Last March I wrote about Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor/producer (at that time) at Russia’s state television Channel One.  On that evening back in March, in the midst of the nightly live news (propaganda) program, she had burst onto the set behind the news anchor yelling, “Stop the war. No to war” and carrying a sign …

Marina Ovsyannikova, Editor at a Russian TV Channel, Interrupted Live Broadcast with Sign That Read ‘NO WAR’

At the time of my post, I predicted that there likely could be no good outcome for Ms. Ovsyannikova – but I was wrong!!!  This is one time I’m happy to be wrong!  Yesterday my inbox contained a letter from Christophe Deloire, the Secretary-General of RSF – Reporters Without Borders – that began with this statement from Ms. Ovsyannikova …

“The resources deployed by RSF were extraordinary. They saved my life, they helped me to flee Russia, a country where the government is run by war criminals.”

Mr. Deloire’s letter continues …

Five days after Marina Ovsiannikova became a symbol of resistance against Russian propaganda in March 2022 by brandishing an anti-war sign on camera in a Russian TV news studio, I called her to offer our support. In September, when she was under house arrest in Moscow, fitted with an electronic bracelet and facing a possible ten-year jail sentence, she told us she wanted to flee Russia. She left Moscow a few days later and, for four months, a small unit of RSF employees worked in the utmost secrecy on organising her escape, called “Operation Evelyne.”

What she did shows that it is possible to resist propaganda apparatuses, that one can disrupt them from within, that one can say no, and that it is possible to get out of them, to defect, to oppose the falsification of history and the manipulation of the news.

It is your support that makes this possible.

Thank you for your help.

Back in October, The Washington Post and other outlets reported that Ms. Ovsyannikova had escaped house arrest with her 11-year-old daughter, but there was no word of their whereabouts nor how they had escaped, so I was skeptical at that time.  There is an RSF press conference with Ms. Ovsyannikova – it is over an hour long and there are difficulties with the sound in the beginning, but in case you’re interested in seeing her up-close, here’s the link.

Two thumbs up 👍👍 to Marina Ovsyannikova for following her conscience nearly a year ago, even though it nearly cost her life, and another two thumbs 👍👍 to Reporters Without Borders for their dedication and determination!

Marina Ovsyannikova — Say Her Name!

Posted on by under Free Press Issues, Global Issues, Political commentary, Social commentary

The first I heard of Marina Ovsyannikova was in a post by our friend, rawgod.  My curiosity piqued, I went in search of more information.  In the world of courageous people, Ms. Ovsyannikova stands out, is at the top of my list.  What did she do?

She was an editor/producer at Russia’s state television Channel One.  Yesterday evening, in the midst of the nightly live news (propaganda) program, she burst onto the set behind the news anchor yelling, “Stop the war. No to war” and carrying a sign …

Translated, the sign reads, “Don’t believe the propaganda. They’re lying to you here.” It was signed in English: “Russians against the war.” The news anchor continued to read from her teleprompter speaking louder in an attempt to drown out Ovsyannikova, but her protest could be seen and heard for several seconds before the channel switched to a recorded segment.

Ovsyannikova also released a pre-recorded video via the OVD-Info human rights group in which she expressed her shame at working for Channel One and spreading Kremlin propaganda.

Ovsyannikova was arrested shortly after her protest and was held for a time at the Ostankino television center before being taken to the police station.  This is the first time that an employee from Russian state media has publicly denounced the war as the country continues its crackdown on anti-war dissent. So strict is the current wave of censorship that other news programs blurred out the message on Ovsyannikova’s sign in their own reports on the incident.  Within hours of her protest, more than 40,000 people had so far left comments on Ovsyannikova’s Facebook page, with many praising her for her taking a stand.  Tell me again how the Russian people love Putin and fully support the war on Ukraine???

What has become of Ms. Ovsyannikova since yesterday evening?  I’ve read conflicting stories.  One says that after being interrogated for some 14 hours, she was fined approximately 30,000 rubles, or roughly $280 USD and released from prison.  But The Washington Post reports that human rights groups say they are unable to locate her.  I suspect there can be no good outcome for Ms. Ovsyannikova from her protest, but I am sure she knew that when she made the decision to do what she did, to stand for truth and justice.

Ms. Ovsyannikova deserves two thumbs up for her courage and honesty … I only hope her efforts were not in vain and that the people of Russia stand up against the brutal dictator in charge of their nation.