This independent Russian news channel has made Amsterdam its new home

Following the increased risk that independent news broadcasters face in Russia, many journalists have sought safer conditions elsewhere. Now, the Russian TV channel “TV Rain” has settled in (rainy) Amsterdam.

As Putin’s regime in Russia started prosecuting journalists opposing his war of aggression against Ukraine, freedom of speech and press has dwindled rapidly.

For a while already, but increasingly so after the invasion, the term “independent journalism” has become synonymous with “anti-Russia propaganda” in Putin’s regime.

For TV Rain, this meant being blocked completely by the Russian state as part of an attempt to silence all opposition.

A popular alternative

The independent broadcaster has grown in popularity since its establishment more than 10 years ago, writes the NOS.

TV Rain provides a unique source of independent journalism for Russians in and outside of Russia, with the main goal of showing viewers what is really happening in Ukraine.

READ MORE | Dutch Foreign Minister pledges continuous support for Ukraine in meeting with Zelensky

With more than 3 million subscribers on YouTube, and a few million visitors every day, the platform has gained traction as the situation in Russia and Ukraine has worsened.

Times are changing

The new location also means new practices for the Russian broadcaster, who has had to change their main sources of information ever since the invasion of Ukraine.

READ MORE | The Netherlands wants to ban Russians from getting tourist visas

TV Rain has always been an independent actor in Russia, but the changed circumstances have forced the broadcaster to rely on anonymous journalists and informants to report on the Kremlin’s movements.

Despite significantly reduced access to information, TV Rain hopes its new base in Amsterdam will make for safer working conditions for its staff.

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Feature Image:Depositphotos
Juni Moltubak
Juni Moltubak
Juni moved to the Netherlands after realizing how expensive tuition fees in the UK are, and never regretted her choice of studying in The Hague. After three years of Political Science, she is ready for a new adventure — an internship at DutchReview! When you don’t see her typing on her laptop she can be found strolling around Haagse Bos or sitting in her lovely garden scrolling through interior design TikToks.

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