Simon Walker

Once again, Steve Rosenberg’s reporting offers a sobering reminder of what happens when a government seeks to extinguish independent journalism and silence those who question its authority. Whatever our frustrations with the press in Britain and elsewhere in the democratic world, we should never take its freedom for granted. We can challenge its reporting, dispute its conclusions and condemn its editorial judgement. That freedom to disagree is itself something precious. A newspaper must be free to scrutinise those in power without its survival depending upon their approval. The same principle applies in the United States. Whenever a president seeks to intimidate journalists or undermine independent scrutiny, the courts and other democratic institutions must uphold the law without fear or favour. Their duty is to the constitution and the public, never to the personal interests of the occupant of the White House. In Russia, the promise associated with glasnost and the possibility of a more open society has been steadily betrayed. Under Putin, public accountability has given way to repression, whilst the space for independent reporting and political opposition has narrowed relentlessly. The Russian people deserve better than a state that demands their obedience whilst denying them the means to scrutinise those who govern them. That is why we must distinguish between Russia’s people and its rulers. Dissent carries risks that those of us living in freer societies can too easily underestimate. Silence under repression must never automatically be mistaken for consent. It is also why Ukraine’s struggle matters so profoundly. Ukrainians are fighting for the right to determine their own future, rather than have it dictated by the Kremlin. Their sovereignty cannot be surrendered merely because an aggressor possesses the weapons and the willingness to inflict suffering. Britain’s own history, including its imperial past, should make us more conscious of that principle. Our parliamentary democracy was neither complete from the outset nor secured without struggle. The right to choose our representatives, challenge our government and remove it through the ballot box was hard won. We have a responsibility to defend those freedoms and to support others whose independence is under attack. On 3 November, American voters have their own opportunity to exercise democratic accountability. Across Europe, we must continue to support Ukraine because resisting aggression and defending a sovereign people’s freedom is a matter of principle. Political inconvenience cannot make that obligation disappear. Steve Rosenberg continues to bring us reporting from within Russia that helps illuminate what its authorities would prefer the world not to examine. His work deserves our attention, and the Russian people deserve our concern. Freedom depends upon people being able to discover the truth, speak without fear and hold their leaders accountable. When those rights are suppressed, we must have the resolve to say so, and the determination to stand beside those defending them.