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Proekt

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Proekt
Type of site
Investigative journalism
Available inRussian
English
Country of originRussia
OwnerRoman Badanin
Founder(s)Roman Badanin
Maria Zholobova
Mikhail Rubin [ru]
EditorRoman Badanin
Employees17 (March 2021)
URLproekt.media (Russian)
proekt.media/en (English)
agents.media (Russian)
RegistrationNone
Launched2018 (2018)
Current statusActive

Proekt (Russian: Проект, lit. 'Project')[1] is an independent Russian media outlet specialising in investigative journalism.[2][3] In 2021, Proekt was relaunched as Agentstvo (Агентство, 'Agency'),[4] but restored its original name in 2022, while Agentstvo became a news website.[5][6]

History and activities

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Since 2001, Roman Badanin has worked for Gazeta.Ru, Forbes, Interfax, RBK and Dozhd as editor-in-chief. In 2017, he left the country to study journalism at Stanford University in California. In 2018, after graduating from his studies and returning to Russia, he decided to engage in investigative journalism in the format of an online media, which he had previously done.[7] As of July 2018, Proekt had 10 employees and its initial budget was 500,000 dollars.[8]

Proekt specialises in investigative journalism. The website of the media publishes text versions of the investigations, on the YouTube channel the media uploads short documentaries and podcasts. Proekt also posts materials on Telegram, VKontakte, Instagram, Yandex.Zen, Twitter and Facebook.[9] Proekt exists at the expense of donations from its readers and sponsors.[10][11][12]

Since 2019, after publications about the Russian paramilitary organisation Wagner, the journalists of the Project have been under surveillance by the Russian authorities.[13][14][15]

In 2020, after The New York Times newspaper won International Reporting Prize, Proekt said that at least two articles in the winning entry repeated findings of Proekt's articles published a few months before without citing the source.[16][17]

On June 28, 2021, Proekt announced that they would publish an investigation into the property of the relatives of Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.[18] The next day, Moscow police raided apartments of Roman Badanin, deputy editor in chief Mikhail Rubin and co-founder of Proekt Maria Zholobova; the police also seized journalistic equipment.[19] Officially, the searches were connected with a 2017 journalistic investigation about Putin's friend, businessman and crime boss Ilya Traber [ru].[20][21] Natalia Zviagina, director of the Russian office of Amnesty International, said the raid is a "part of a systematic cleansing of any critical voices exposing the malpractices of those in power in the country".[22][23]

On July 15, 2021, Russian authorities banned Proekt and labelled five of its journalists as so-called "foreign agents".[24][25][26] Proekt became the first news outlet that has been designated as a so-called "undesirable organisation" in Russia.[27] This designation prohibits the activities of the organisation on the territory of Russia and prescribes sanctions for anyone who supports the organisation. Badanin called the authorities' decision the best recognition. The head of Meduza's investigation department, Alexey Kovalev, said that the reason for the ban was Proekt's investigations into the top officials of the Kremlin.[28] Russian journalist Andrey Kolesnikov said that the persecution of Proekt is a signal to the rest of the media: "See what we can and behave yourself."[29]

On 2 June 2023, the Ministry of Justice of Russia added Proekt and its journalists Roman Badanin, Mikhail Rubin, Ekaterina Arenina, Vitalii Soldatskikh, Mikhail Maglov, Polina Machold, Boris Dubakh, Sofia Manevich to the so-called list of "foreign agents".[30][31] It was the first an entity was added to the so-called "list" after it had already been banned under so-called "undesirable organisation" statue.

Notable investigations

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The first investigations were devoted to different topics. Later, the publication began to post materials about secret connections and business activities of Russian officials and parties, corruption schemes of the highest echelons of the Russian government and big business, and the pressure and influence of the Russian government on the media and social networks.[32] Investigations were released about people living in the Rublyovka prestigious residential area, the ties between Russian energy company Rosneft and Amaffi, the income of the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian official Adam Delimkhanov,[33] as well as a special project "Iron Masks" (Russian: Железные маски, romanized: Zheleznye Maski) dedicated to Russian president Vladimir Putin and his friends.[34][35]

On 1 April 2022, Proekt published an investigation in which it found that Putin is often accompanied by a doctor specialising in thyroid cancer.[36] The Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, denied that Putin had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer.[37]

In 2023, Proekt released the film "His War" about how Vladimir Putin started the war against Ukraine;[38] The large-scale investigation "Lapdogs of war", containing a list of Russian oligarchs involved in the supply of products to the Russian defense industry;[39] An investigation into the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Aleksandr Kurenkov, in which it found the minister's wife and assets linked to her;[40] The investigation "Iron Masks. Final Season", dedicated to Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva;[41] "Everyday Life and Morals of the P. Era", dedicated to the land holdings built around the presidential residence and Vladimir Putin's relatives;[42] "The portrait of Herman Gref, Russia’s most liberal kleptocrat", dedicated to the offshore activities of the head of Sberbank,[43] and other significant investigations.

Awards

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In April 2019, Proekt's article Шеф и повар. Часть третья., 'Master and Chef. How Russia interfered in elections in twenty countries' received the Redkollegia award.[44]

In November 2019, journalists of Proekt received "Journalism as a Profession" award in the category "Interview with Pictures" for an article "The Man Behind the Kremlin’s Control of the Russian Media".[45][46][47]

In February 2020, Proekt's article "Highway to nowhere." (Russian: Шоссе в никуда., romanized: Shosse v nikuda.) received Redkollegia award.[44]

In July 2020, Proekt's article "Brothers Ltd. How a Representative of a Top Chechen Leader ‘Solved’ Russian Business Disputes — And Walked Away With Millions" received Redkollegia award.[44]

In August 2020, Proekt received the Free Media Awards for "its investigative research on corruption and abuse of power" from the German ZEIT-Stiftung and the Norwegian Fritt Ord.[48][49][50]

References

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  1. ^ "Издание "Проект" объявило о восстановлении своего прежнего бренда" [The Proekt publication announced the restoration of its former brand]. Meduza (in Russian). 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  2. ^ Bershidsky, Leonid (2020-12-13). "Russia's New Guerilla Media Are Going After Putin". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  3. ^ Kellogg, Amy (2021-02-25). "Russia's investigative journalists take spotlight with stunning findings on Putin, Navalny poisoning". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  4. ^ "Blacklisted Russian Investigative Outlet Relaunches With Look at Defense Chief's PR Machine". The Moscow Times. 2021-09-06. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  5. ^ "Кто мы" [Who are we]. agents.media (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  6. ^ "Журналист Роман Баданин объявил о возобновлении работы расследовательского издания "Проект"" [Journalist Roman Badanin announced the resumption of work of the investigative publication Proekt]. Mediazona (in Russian). 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  7. ^ Zvezda, Sergey (2020-12-16). "Гость TJ: Роман Баданин, главред издания "Проект" — как делать расследования в современной России" [Guest of TJ: Roman Badanin, editor-in-chief of the Proekt publication — how to do investigations in modern Russia]. TJ (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  8. ^ Khabibrakhimov, Albert (2018-07-24). "Экс-главред "Дождя" Роман Баданин запустит издание "Проект" с расследованиями на основе больших данных" [Former editor-in-chief of Dozhd Roman Badanin will launch the Proekt publication with investigations based on big data]. vc.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  9. ^ "Who are we". Proekt (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  10. ^ "Как российские журналисты создают новые независимые проекты" [How Russian journalists create new independent projects]. radioportal.ru (in Russian). 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  11. ^ Boletskaya, Ksenia (2018-07-24). "Бывший главный редактор "Дождя" запускает новое медиа" [Former editor-in-chief of Dozhd launches new media]. Vedomosti (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  12. ^ "Роман Бадани: Личное о Путине - это табу" [Roman Badani: Personal about Putin is taboo]. LRT televizija (in Russian). 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  13. ^ "Журналисты "Проекта" рассказали об угрозах и слежке после расследования о российских наемниках в Африке" [Proekt journalists spoke about threats and surveillance following an investigation of Russian mercenaries in Africa]. MediaZona (in Russian). 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  14. ^ "Главред "Проекта" Роман Баданин заметил за собой слежку" [Editor-in-chief of "Proekt" Roman Badanin noticed that he was being followed]. OVD-Info (in Russian). 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  15. ^ "К главному редактору "Проекта" по месту прописки пришла полиция" [The police came to the editor-in-chief of the "Proekt" at the place of registration]. znak.com (in Russian). 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  16. ^ "Russia Slams NYT for 'Russophobia' Following Pulitzer Prize Win". The Moscow Times. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  17. ^ Kovalev, Alexey (2020-05-07). "'Fuck the Pulitzer — I just want a hyperlink' Russian journalists say 'The New York Times' should have acknowledged their investigative work in the newspaper's award-winning reports about the Putin regime's 'predations'". Meduza. Translated by Kevin Rothrock. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  18. ^ Yakoreva, Anastasia (2021-06-29). "'I'll survive some community service' Proekt's journalists talk to Meduza after facing police raids and interrogations". Meduza. Summary by Eilish Hart. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  19. ^ "Russian police interrogate 3 journalists with investigative outlet Proekt, raid apartments". Committee to Protect Journalists. New York. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  20. ^ "Полиция пришла к журналистам "Проекта" по жалобе друга Путина" [The police came to the journalists of Proekt on the complaint of a friend of Putin]. Radio Liberty (in Russian). 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  21. ^ "Зачем следователи приходят к журналистам" [Why do investigators come to journalists.]. proekt.media (in Russian). 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  22. ^ "Russia: raids on Proekt are 'another brazen attack' on independent media". Amnesty International. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  23. ^ "Russia targets investigative journalists with raids in media crackdown". Euronews. Associated Press. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  24. ^ Osborn, Andrew; Balmforth, Tom; Devitt, Polina; Zverev, Anton; Nikolskaya, Polina (2021-07-15). Maclean, William; Jones, Gareth (eds.). "Russia bans investigative news outlet on national security grounds". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  25. ^ "Russia outlaws investigative media outlet Proekt calling it a 'threat'". Euronews. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  26. ^ "Russia Bans Independent Investigative Outlet Proekt with 'Undesirable' Label". The Moscow Times. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  27. ^ Roth, Andrew (2021-07-15). "Russia bans media outlet that published Vladimir Putin scoops". The Guardian. Moscow. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  28. ^ Gershkovich, Evan (2021-07-15). "Investigative Site Proekt Banned As Russia Pursues Clampdown". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2021-07-18 – via Barron's (newspaper).
  29. ^ Kozlova, Daria (2021-07-16). "Шесть лет за "Проект". Почему власти признали издание Романа Баданина нежелательной организацией" [Six years for Proekt. Why the authorities recognised the outlet of Roman Badanin as an undesirable organisation]. Novaya Gazeta (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  30. ^ "В РФ объявлены "иноагентами" издание "Проект" и журналисты – DW – 03.06.2023". dw.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  31. ^ "Russia's Justice Ministry adds media outlet Proekt, political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin, and journalist Roman Super to 'foreign agents' list". Novaya Gazeta Europe. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  32. ^ Filippova, Anastasia (2020-07-20). "Как работает расследовательское медиа "Проект"" [How the investigative media Proekt works]. jrnlst.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  33. ^ ""Проект" опубликовал расследование о связях Кадырова с крупным бизнесом" ["Proekt" has published an investigation of Kadyrov's connections with big business]. Caucasian Knot (in Russian). 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  34. ^ "'Proekt' investigation reveals how Putin's 'close acquaintance' became a multi-millionaire". Meduza. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  35. ^ "Интернет-издание "Проект" утверждает, что близкая знакомая президента Путина владеет активами на миллиарды рублей" [The Internet media "Proekt" claims that a close acquaintance of President Putin owns assets worth billions of rubles]. Echo of Moscow (in Russian). 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  36. ^ ""Проект": Среди врачей Путина есть хирург-онколог". Deutsche Welle. 1 April 2022.
  37. ^ "Putin Accompanied by Doctors, Thyroid Cancer Surgeon on Sochi Trips – Report". The Moscow Times. 1 April 2022.
  38. ^ Andrey Zakharov (2023-11-08). "His War". Proekt.
  39. ^ Vitaliy Soldatskikh (2023-07-31). "Lapdogs of war". Proekt.
  40. ^ Mikhail Maglov (2023-08-21). "Everyday Life and Morals of the P. Era. Part 2". Proekt.
  41. ^ Mikhail Maglov (2023-02-28). "Iron Masks. The Final Season". Proekt.
  42. ^ Katya Arenina (2023-06-01). "Everyday Life and Morals of the P. Era". Proekt.
  43. ^ Vitaly Soldatskikh (2023-01-10). "Real Agents. Part 004. The portrait of German Gref, Russia's most liberal kleptocrat". Proekt.
  44. ^ a b c "Роман Баданин" [Roman Badanin]. Redkollegia (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  45. ^ "Ivan Golunov Wins Award For Article That Got Him Arrested". khodorkovsky.com. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  46. ^ "Вручена премия "Профессия — журналист"" [Awarded the "Profession — Journalist" award]. Colta.ru (in Russian). 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  47. ^ "Лауреаты — 2019" [Laureates — 2019]. journalist.name (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  48. ^ Staschen, Jessica. "Free Media Awards". ZEIT-Stiftung. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  49. ^ "Программе расследований "Схемы" присуждена международная премия" [Scheme Investigation Programme Awarded International Prize]. ru.krymr.com (in Russian). 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  50. ^ ""Схеми» та Станіслав Асєєв стали лауреатами премії «Вільна преса Східної Європи 2020"" ["Schemes" and Stanislav Aseev became the winners of the award "Free Press of Eastern Europe 2020"]. detector.media (in Ukrainian). 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
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