The journalist now works for Springer-Verlag.
(Photo: dpa)
Dusseldorf Marina Ovsjannikova became world famous for her protest on Russian television. Now the Russian journalist works as a freelance correspondent from Russia and Ukraine for the media brand “Welt”. This was announced by the publishing house Axel Springer on Monday in Berlin. The 43-year-old will write for the newspaper and be connected to the TV station of the same name.
In early March, Ovzyannikova held a protest poster against Russia’s attack on Ukraine for the camera on the main evening news program on Russian state television. “Stop the war. Don’t believe the propaganda. You will be lied to here,” it said. She shouted out loud several times: “No to the war!” The live broadcast was then interrupted.
Journalists in Russia are forbidden to speak of a “war”. The Kremlin is trying to suppress free and critical reporting about the attack in Ukraine. According to a new media law, media workers can be sentenced to 15 years in prison, but Ovzyannikova got away with a fine of the equivalent of 230 euros (30,000 rubles). In many other countries around the world, their protest triggered a wave of recognition.
“Welt” editor-in-chief Ulf Poschardt is looking forward to the cooperation, according to the company announcement. At a crucial moment, Ovsyannikova had the courage to confront the viewers in Russia with an unembellished picture of reality. “In doing so, she defended the most important journalistic virtues – despite the threat of state repression.”
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Ovsjannikova praises her new employer: The Welt media company stands for what is being defended so vehemently by the courageous local people in Ukraine: freedom. “I see it as my job as a journalist to stand up for this freedom.”
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