New York (CNN)In the face of Russia’s newly-imposed draconian anti-press law, journalists have stopped reporting inside Russia and many have left the country – including international reporters from outlets like CNN and the New York Times.
But one Russian journalist — Yevgenia Albats, editor-in-chief and CEO of the liberal, independent New Times — remains. She told CNN’s chief correspondent Brian Stelter in Reliable Sources on Sunday that she was “not afraid” of the Kremlin’s actions.
“I’m not a martyr. But I feel like someone has to do it,” Albats said, noting that up to 160 of the “best reporters” have left Russia.
Albats is also posting on her YouTube channel, which Stelter says could violate the new “fake news” law and land her behind bars. She’s a veteran journalist but says nowadays she has to be careful with her reporting to avoid jail.
But Albats said it was “too late” for her to be afraid – she has made her views public in books, articles and magazines and is a well-known critic of the government.
“You can kill me,” Albats said. “No one promised me that I would live forever.”
Brent Renaud, an award-winning American journalist, was killed by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Irpin, Kyiv police said in social media posts on Sunday. Officials said he was fired upon by Russian troops.
More than fearing for her life, Albats said she was ashamed of her country, especially since she grew up visiting neighboring Ukraine frequently. It’s a sentiment shared by many intellectuals in Russia, she said.
“I am ashamed that my taxes go to bombs that are killing people in Ukraine,” Albats said. “…I want to get on my knees and say I’m so sorry. I am so sorry that my country is doing this to you.”
– CNN’s Clarissa Ward, Mick Krever, Brian Stelter and Lauren Kent contributed to this story.
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