Muratov will speak about freedom of speech, the Russia-Ukraine war, and his experiences as a journalist in the face of government opposition. Muratov’s lecture is free and open to the public.

In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture “Antidote Against Tyranny,” Muratov said, “Peace, progress, human rights — these three goals are insolubly linked to one another. I am convinced that freedom of conscience, together with the other civic rights, provides the basis for progress.”

Muratov’s visit to UVU comes at a time when Russia is actively at war with Ukraine under Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. Muratov has been openly critical of the Russian war against Ukraine, telling French news outlet France24, “[Moscow] will never be able to conquer (Ukraine).”

UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies invited Muratov at the recommendation of UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, who has a background in Russian studies and a personal interest in Muratov’s story.

Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press

“In the 20+ years of the Putin era, the Russian press has come under mounting pressure from the Kremlin,” said Frederick H. White, professor of Russian and integrated studies and a UVU Center for National Security Studies fellow.

“Independent media has nearly been eliminated, but Dmitry Muratov represents those journalists who, despite grave personal and professional dangers, continue to represent the Fourth Estate,” White said. “He and his colleagues have covered governmental corruption, election fraud, and human rights violations at their own personal risk. Today especially, Russia and the rest of the world need more people like Dmitry Muratov.”

In 2021, Muratov jointly received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Filipino American journalist Maria Ressa for safeguarding freedom of expression. In June 2022, Muratov auctioned off his Nobel medal for $103 million, donating all proceeds to Ukrainian children displaced by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Muratov began his career as a journalist working for Soviet newspapers. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he joined other journalists to cofound the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, where he is now editor-in-chief. The publication advocates for democracy and freedom of expression in Russia and criticizes Russian authorities for corruption, election fraud and human rights violations.

“We are journalists, and our mission is clear — to distinguish between facts and fiction,” Muratov said during his Nobel Peace Prize lecture.

In the past 20 years, six journalists from Novaya Gazeta have been murdered. Upon receiving news of his Nobel Peace Prize award, Muratov said the prize belonged to his murdered colleagues.

“It is that of those who died defending the right of people to freedom of speech,” he told Russian media.

In April 2022, Muratov was attacked on a Russian train with red paint laced with acetone, suffering chemical burns in his eyes.