Journalism in times of war // Anna Politkovskaya Forum 2025 – Day 1

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and The Barents Observer invite you to a two-day event in memory of the renowned Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine, we will explore the challenges and responsibilities of journalism in times of conflict—both during Russia’s aggression and in the broader context of hybrid and information warfare. The program will also focus on Northern Norway, examining how these developments affect the cross-border region. 

Lana Estemirova—daughter of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova and close friend of Anna Politkovskaya—will present her book, Please Live: The Chechen Wars, My Mother and Me.

You can also follow the event on Facebook

Program

14:30 Registration, refreshments

15:00 Welcome
Berit Lindeman, the Secretary General of NHC.

15:10 Project presentation: “Freedom to write and knowledge building on Russia: Journalism Exile Hub”
Atle Staalesen, Barents Observer and Kari Aga Myklebost, UiT.

15:30 Support for journalism in times of war
A short update by Arve Hansen, manager of NHC’s Nansen support programme for Ukraine.

15:40 Reporting from the war in Ukraine
Conversation with Anastasiia Lapatina, journalist from Lawfare Media, and Francis Farrell, The Kyiv Independent. Arve Hansen, NHC moderates.

16:25 Coffee break

16:40 Covering Russia’s war as a Russian journalist
Conversation with Russian exile journalists Elena Kostyuchenko, Georgii Chentemirov and Olesia Krivtsova. Ivar Dale, NHC moderates.

17:25 Undesirable organisations and foreign agents: The criminalisation of journalism and human rights
Conversation with Galina Arapova, lawyer from Media Defence Foundation, and Thomas Nilsen, editor, Barents Observer. Inna Sangadzhieva, NHC moderates.

18:00 Coffee Break

18:15 “Please, Live”
Conversation with Lana Estemirova about her new book. Ivar Dale, NHC moderates.

19:00 End

Contact us

Employee

Dag A. Fedøy

Director of CommunicationsEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 920 54 309Twitter: @dagfedoy
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Employee

Lasse Thomassen

Senior AdviserEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 947 945 61
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