Dmitry Muratov, a Russian journalist and human rights activist, spoke at the Ent Center of the Arts on Monday, Feb. 27 on the power of propaganda and suppression of free press.
Muratov is the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner and editor in chief of the independent journal Novaya Gazeta, which has ceased publication for the time being due to censorship over the conflict in Ukraine. He received the Nobel for “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace” and went on to auction the award in 2022 to bring awareness to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. It sold for over $100 million with proceeds going to the UNICEF child refugee fund.
The College of Public Service partnered with the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council to host Muratov at the Ent Center with about 600 people attending, including cadets and faculty from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado College and Pikes Peak State College.
Muratov shed light on the Ukraine crisis and provided insights from a journalist and human rights perspective, emphasizing to the audience the significance of the crisis and effects of propaganda, and to the attending cadets what they’re potentially going to encounter being deployed.
“One participant came up to me after the event with tears in her eyes expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to hear from Mr. Muratov,” noted George Reed, Dean of the College of Public Service. “Another participant, who is a journalist, commented that this was the most impactful event he has attended since moving to Colorado Springs.”
Muratov has spoken at multiple universities in the nation, including CU Denver on Feb. 28.