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Filmmaker Exposes Russia's Crackdown on Independent Journalism

2/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Filmmaker Julia Loktev documents the crackdown on independent journalism in Russia in her documentary My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow.
It follows reporters from TV Rain, Russia's last independent channel, who faced threats after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Many journalists fled the country to continue their work.
Loktev draws parallels to political trends in the United States, signaling broader concerns about censorship.

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Story summary

Filmmaker Julia Loktev documents the crackdown on independent journalism in Russia in her documentary My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow.
It follows reporters from TV Rain, Russia's last independent channel, who faced threats after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Many journalists fled the country to continue their work.
Loktev draws parallels to political trends in the United States, signaling broader concerns about censorship.