Mother Jones, a progressive magazine published by the Foundation for National Progress, has announced that it is partnering with Meduza, an independent Russian news organization, as a fiscal sponsor to help it raise funds and continue operating.

The partnership comes nearly 15 months after Russian president Vladimir Putin banned Meduza from operating in the country because of its critical coverage of the war in Ukraine. Published in Russian and English, Meduza has been based in Latvia since 2015. As a result of its reporting about Russian government actions, Meduza was labeled a “foreign agent” in 2021 and its website was blocked in the country in March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Consequently, Meduza lost access to millions of readers in Russia and the ability to receive donations. Under the new arrangement, Mother Jones may receive contributions from U.S. residents on behalf of Meduza.

“Both news organizations share a commitment to protecting democracy and holding powerful people accountable, and that kinship is what motivated us to step in and help,” said Mother Jones CEO Monika Bauerlein. “Meduza has persevered in spite of incredible pressure, and their work is needed more than ever in light of the atrocities authorized by President Putin in Russia and Ukraine.”

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