Trial in Russian journalist's murder pits openness against secrecy

Russia's media and judicial system have not operated all that independently, so we were pleasantly surprised and hopeful last week when a military court decided to open its doors for journalists to cover the trial of three men accused as accessories in the murder of Russian reporter and Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya. A day later, however, the judge reversed himself, citing the civilian jurors' fears that publicity could put them at risk. Then a remarkable thing happened: One of the jurors went on the radio to say they hadn't requested a closed court; rather, the court secretary had warned them of the dangers of an open trial and sought their signatures on a statement requesting a media ban. They declined.

November 25, 2008