But the Music pub is more than just a music venue. It’s a popular spot for socialising, hosting events like open mic nights and workshops that bring people together. For me, it holds a special place in my heart because it's where I formed a meaningful bond with my new colleagues. We connected over our music preferences and supported each other with schoolwork, making it a memorable part of my highschool experience.

In short, Music pub Sibiu is not only known for its great music, cosy atmosphere, and excellent service but also for the special memories it can help create. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, it's worth checking out. For me, it's not just a café—it’s where I’ve made long-lasting friendships and celebrated memorable moments, including a surprise birthday party from my friends.

He reminded her of someone, she had definitely seen those piercing emerald-green eyes and that lush long black hair. The man stood so nonchalantly, almost as if he had been there before. As she was ready to close the door, she figured out who this stranger resembled, it was Daniel, her ex-husband. This was impossible; he had been in a car accident almost ten years ago and passed away on impact. She had started to see him around a week ago, but she shrugged it off thinking it was just a coincidence. And yet, he stood in flesh and blood in front of Sheila with a smile like nothing had happened. As her face turned gale she awkwardly smirked at Daniel, but then he said:

“I missed you darling! It’s been a long day.”

“Uhhh….Long….Day. HOW ARE YOU HERE!?” said Sheila frightened and with a voice crack.

“What do you mean? I’ve been to work and now here.”

At this moment, Sheila collapsed on the sofa, feeling as if she was hit by a truck. Daniel sat won on a chair near Sheila and began to hear the woman’s side of the story. He looked puzzled as his wife told him about the crash and his burial, how all of his friends came to say their goodbyes. Sheila, searching through her memories started to weep, seeing this, Daniel hugged her but fell through Sheila, as if she wasn’t there.

“You….you….are…A GHOST!” said Sheila jumping on her feet.

“Wait, so I did die. This is why I woke up in the middle of the road, that’s where the crash took place!” said Daniel at first excited about his revelation, but soon began to realize the gravity of the situation.

The two stood in silence for a couple of hours, but gradually began to reminisce over the good old days. Sheila described how he was always on her mind and that his face became more and more blurry over the years. All through the night they chatted and laughed, she admitted that since his passing she had become shy and miserable. The golden apple of her eyes vanished and she was left without any goals in life.

The clock struck midnight when Daniel grabbed Sheila’s hand and they were able to feel each other, tears went down their cheeks as they were hugging so warmly like the flame of their first kiss had never gone away. The two quietly snuck out of the apartment and went to the park and sat down on the bench near the lake. The frigid wind whipped Sheila’s face, but she didn’t care. The lake had frozen and all the city lights were bouncing off the ice in a dance between the rays and the snow. Sheila could swear her favourite song began to play. The two stood in silence just like the first time they had gone out, it was the same place. The moon appeared over the frozen lake like a spotlight for Sheila and Daniel, and then morning came as the song came to an end.

Breaking News: Woman found frozen on a bench. The police have identified her as the CEO of an important law firm. Her coworkers say they don’t know what drove her to do something like this. A case has been opened but few leads have come out. And now for the weather….. .

A New Cultural Landmark

Using one of the flyers provided at the opening, we can get a close look into the story behind the gallery. The Faces and Traces Exhibition features the works of two underground, contemporary artists, Alexa Telentin and Rone (Cicerone Florin Cojocaru). The gallery reflects themes of identity through an engaging and  humorous lens. The opening invites people to cogitate on the intersection of reality and imagination.

We spoke with one of the organisers about the gallery and the artists involved. This is what she had to say “I already knew these artists, Rone and Alexa - new, provocative and underground. They present bold and thought-provoking works which can be interpreted in a humorous way or as a playful discussion. “The Urban Sheep” is a rather “tame” series, but there will be more exhibitions in the future. Even if we are a pretty diverse team, we were able to organize this opening and I believe we will be able to make this space work. We are trying to create something different, other than what already exists.”. At the moment we are sure, after this short interview, that future exhibitions will definitely be organised.

A couple of Rone’s pieces come from his collection “My Friends from Beyond”, a series of portraits that give us a glimpse into abstract yet introspective representations of human beauty and individuality. With a fine arts background from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bucharest and further artistic growth in France and Germany, Rone blends constructivist and deconstructivist techniques, crafting a dynamic and immersive visual world.

Alexa Tolentin showcases worlds from her “The Urban Sheep” series, where seemingly normal characters are transformed into exaggerated and humorous figures. Whether it is a samurai sheep, a lamb living it up in Las Vegas, or a tennis-playing sheep, Alexandra has a playful approach to contemporary life with a sharp yet tame perspective.

Overcoming Challenges to Open a Creative Space 

The path toward starting in this new space presented itself with had some problems. One of the founders revealed for us some insights into the process: “For a long time, this space had existed without a clear purpose. Coming from a business background, I wanted to develop a project that would make contemporary art more accessible. A few friends and I got together, and after a great deal of planning and effort, we made it happen.”

The founder also acknowledged that getting artists to display their work was an important challenge: “It was quite difficult at first, but also incredibly rewarding. We met a number of talented artists along the way, and this effort has helped us discover and bring attention to young, emerging talents.”

The founder's ultimate goal is to present many established artists. They also aspire to provide a platform for young creators who persistently battle to find meaningful recognition in the mainstream art scene. The team hopes that by offering a welcoming space for both experienced and emerging artists, they can create a hub of artistic expression for a broad audience.

An Exhibition That Invites Reflection

The Faces and Traces Exhibition explores the concept of identity, making viewers contemplate upon how they perceive themselves and others. Rone creates a world that oscillates between realism and abstraction, mulling over personal and collective identity. His art pieces seem to whisper tales of people who existed in the past and the ones who will exist in the future. 

Telentin’s series presents how ironic modern society can be. By merging familiar, everyday scenarios with caricatures, she confronts the audience to see themselves in those exaggerated, absurd and humorous scenarios depicted in her art works. The paintings encourage a connection between the viewer and the subject, evoking chuckles but also deeper contemplation on the roles individuals play in the day to day life. 

The Impact of the New Gallery

Art enthusiasts and discerning critics alike are already commending the gallery’s large effort to give more exposure to current and relatively lesser-known art. The initial gathering attracted a varied audience, including experienced art buyers as well as new artists looking for ideas. People reacted very well. Visitors also seem happy to see modern art shown in an approachable, new style. 

The founders envision the gallery as a space that is more than just an exhibition space. There are already plans to host a few workshops and artist talks with some interactive installations, guaranteeing the gallery stays a very active cultural center. In the future, they expect to work with artists and curators from all over the world so that their shows include a global perspective. 

We asked Simona Craciun licensed psychologist to express her opinion about the exhibition and this what she had to say - "This exhibition caught my attention because, as I was saying in class, in Sibiu, there aren't many places where people can come together, enjoy art, discuss art and simply create a community of art lovers. The event and the works presented also caught my attention - they were truly special. It felt like a home, honestly, like a home for all the arts. There were painting exhibitions, sculptures, good music and poetry books. I think the theme of the exhibition - identity - was captured through a psychological lens, with the soul of a psychologist. Plus, I have to mention the location - it’s really great, in my opinion. It’s in a central area, on a picturesque street, at the intersection of several roads, and suddenly, you stumble upon an art hub. For so many reasons, I love color - psychological reasons, aesthetic reasons and simply because. I really liked their works because they were full of color, that brings energy and beauty. And the style seemed very accessible to me. I forgot to mention the jewelry, but there was so much crowding around the jewelry section that I didn’t get the chance to spend enough time there. But yes, there were some really beautiful pieces. Tell me - what is a woman’s identity without jewelry? In the end, you see, you’re right - this involvement of the senses in aesthetics, all senses were engaged in this exhibition." Simona Crăciun also left a message for all the people that are still discovering and searching within themselves "If you want to find yourself, seek art—it will lead you to the essence of your being. A short encouragement for anyone." 

 A Space for Everyone 

This gallery stands out for its focus on inclusivity. By featuring diverse artistic styles and backgrounds, it aims to make contemporary art more accessible to the public. With affordable prices and an open-door policy, it welcomes people from all walks of life. 

For many visitors, the gallery offers a refreshing change from the often exclusive art world. “This space feels welcoming, like it belongs to everyone,” said one attendee at the opening. 

As the gallery grows, its founders remain dedicated to fostering creativity and accessibility. The successful launch of the Faces & Traces exhibition is just the beginning of an exciting journey for Sibiu’s art scene. 

With its fresh approach and commitment to artistic exploration, the gallery is set to become a key cultural hub, inspiring both local and international artists and visitors for years to come. 

A funny thing that happened when we went through airport security was that when I took off my scarf, it got caught up in my earring and when I pulled it, the earring fell. It wasn't so funny then, I was desperate to find it. But happily it fell in my pocket and after a couple of minutes of searching, I found it.

The flight was alright, quite tiring and when we arrived in London we went straight to bed.

The next day we visited Madame Tussauds, which was my favorite part of the trip. My favorite celebrity I’ve seen there was Harry Styles. He looked almost real. Outside the museum, there was a ginormous poster with him that said “Harry’s Home”.

I’ve also tried to go through the horror rooms there with my sister. In every room there was a story of a murderer, explained by a guide. We got scared and left by the fourth room. I was terrified, because there was a man dressed as one of the criminals and it frightened me because he was moving, with no facial expression, quite angry I’d say. And there were speakers that played awful sounds, just to scare you. Interesting idea… not for me though. I’m not a big fan of horror related things.

Later, we passed by Buckingham Palace. The gate was huge, and several guards were patrolling in front of the palace. They were armed and everything. They looked kind of funny because of the tall feather hats.

In London there is a cupcake shop, Lola, that has the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted. They have a ton of different flavors, but my favorite is Red Velvet. They are just delicious. Too bad we don’t have a shop like this. Or, I just haven’t discovered it yet.

We’ve also walked across London Bridge and went to see Big Ben.

Mobile Stories, a tool that teaches students critical thinking and responsibility towards information they share and consume, is now available across Europe. After a decade of success in Sweden and a successful pilot phase in Romania, Ireland and Finland, the Mobile Stories platform has demonstrated remarkable potential in building student confidence and media and information literacy by providing a platform to produce quality journalism.

Using the new international version of Mobile Stories, students have already published 136 articles on mobilestories.com, with another 700 currently in production—still in edit mode, under review, or even approved for publication by a teacher. Their topics range from book reviews and local cultural events to in-depth feature articles on the decline in young people's mental health and child labor in the fast fashion industry.

During the Creative Europe-funded pilot phase, the Mobile Stories publishing platform and online course were adapted from Swedish into an English language version and tested in 21 schools across Ireland, Romania, Finland and other countries. Along with the translation of the tool itself, the project created open-access media literacy resources, including video tutorials featuring media professionals, worksheets, materials for cross-border collaboration and ethics guides.

All these efforts have led to a tool that most students find easy, relevant and fun to use, as Mobile Stories user experience survey shows. 91 percent of students said they found the video content engaging, and 96 percent said the content is up-to-date. Continuous research efforts so far indicate that students become more confident in their abilities to evaluate sources, check images and videos, as well as produce fact-checked content. They also improve their knowledge of the digital information landscape. For example, more students now know that not all visuals are reliable evidence and the first results on Google might not be the best and most trustworthy.

The platform's impact extends beyond numbers. Students get a practical, hands-on experience that values their voices and opinions. Teachers have been particularly enthusiastic about its transformative potential. "The students responded well and liked to work as if they were actors in an actual newspaper editorial staff," noted a Finnish teacher. Another educator from Romania observed that the experience "encouraged students to investigate, to seek confirmation, fostering habits of skepticism and diligence."

Students found particular value in the platform's publishing function. As teachers noted, seeing a finalised, professionally formatted article makes students "grow as individuals and realise they are capable of more than they previously thought" and "motivates the students because it looks so professional and authentic."

Are you an educator and would like your students to have this opportunity? Learn more on the Mobile Stories information website or reach out to jenny@mobilestories.se.

Varför använder gängen unga som torpeder?

En av de främsta anledningarna till att gäng använder unga för att utföra brott är att det minskar risken för att de äldre och högre uppsatta medlemmarna blir gripna. Genom att låta minderåriga utföra mord, skjutningar och andra våldsbrott kan gängledarna hålla sig i bakgrunden och undvika fängelse. Eftersom unga ofta får mildare straff än vuxna, blir de särskilt attraktiva för gängens verksamhet.

Många av de barn och ungdomar som rekryteras kommer från utsatta områden och svåra hemförhållanden. De kan sakna stabila vuxna förebilder och känna sig utanför samhället. Gängen utnyttjar detta genom att erbjuda pengar, kläder och gemenskap, vilket skapar en känsla av lojalitet. De unga känner ofta en skuld och ett ansvar att “betala tillbaka” genom att utföra brott. Dessutom kan hot och påtryckningar göra det svårt för dem att lämna gänget.

Hur kan samhället stoppa utvecklingen?

Vissa menar att lösningen på problemet är att införa hårdare straff för unga kriminella. Argumentet är att om straffen blir strängare, kommer färre ungdomar att våga bli en del av de kriminella gängen. Dock visar forskning att strängare straff sällan har en avskräckande effekt på unga, utan snarare kan leda till att de fastnar ännu djupare i kriminalitet. Istället behövs förebyggande insatser som gör att unga aldrig hamnar i gängmiljön från början.

En mer effektiv strategi för att minska rekryteringen av unga är att satsa på förebyggande åtgärder. Fler fritidsaktiviteter, stöd till familjer i utsatta områden och tidiga insatser i skolan kan hjälpa unga att välja en annan väg än kriminalitet. Skolor kan också informera om hur gängen arbetar och vad konsekvenserna blir om man hamnar i deras värld. Dessutom behöver det finnas fler vuxna – lärare, socialarbetare och fritidsledare – som unga kan vända sig till om de mår dåligt eller känner sig pressade att gå med i ett gäng.

Slutsats

Sammanfattningsvis är det tydligt att kriminella gäng utnyttjar unga för att begå brott, dels för att minska risken för att själva åka fast, dels för att unga är lättare att manipulera. Att införa hårdare straff för unga är en omdiskuterad lösning, men forskning tyder på att förebyggande åtgärder är mer effektiva. Genom att erbjuda unga fler alternativ i livet, som fritidsaktiviteter och stöd från vuxna, kan samhället minska rekryteringen till de kriminella gängen och på så sätt bekämpa problemet vid dess rötter.

Teaching media literacy and journalism skills to students is no small challenge. Many educators struggle to find the time, resources, and tools necessary to teach these essential competencies effectively. In an era of fake news, overwhelming digital content, and increasingly polarised media, the task of helping young people critically evaluate information and create meaningful content can feel overwhelming.

This is where Mobile Stories comes in. Designed to address these challenges, the innovative publishing platform provides teachers with useful resources. They include ready-made lesson plans, a teachers’ guide, and an intuitive tool with step-by-step instructions supported by video tutorials and tips from professional journalists. These resources and features will empower young people to become responsible and informed producers, consumers and distributors of digital media.

We interviewed teachers from Ireland, Romania, and Finland – countries in which the piloting of the tool is taking place. They shared their experiences, offering insights into how the tool has helped overcome obstacles, engage students, and foster critical skills.

Could you describe the context in which you used Mobile Stories in your classroom? For example, what subject or topic did you focus on, and how did the tool fit into your lesson plans?

Teachers integrated Mobile Stories into their classrooms in different ways, tailoring the tool to their curriculum.

In Ireland, Mobile Stories was a key component of a Digital Media Literacy module for Transition Year students. The teacher focused on teaching students to evaluate the “validity and reliability of the news they see online” and to “distinguish between news that is reliable, honest, and shows different perspectives.” The Code of Ethics provided by Mobile Stories was used as a guide, while the platform itself supported lesson plans by enabling students to “see their progress on an article and see what areas they can improve.”

In Romania, Mobile Stories was used in English and Romanian classes to enhance media literacy. The teacher explained that the tool helped students practice “investigative journalism, asking questions, [and distinguishing] fact vs. opinion.” It served as an additional resource to equip students with skills to navigate the “abundance of information” they encounter daily.

Meanwhile, in Finland, the platform was incorporated into an upper secondary school course called “Text and Influence.” The course focused on media, with students learning to write “different newspaper genres, like articles and reviews.” According to the teacher, Mobile Stories fit well into the curriculum and complemented their efforts to teach media literacy.

How did your students respond to using Mobile Stories? Did you notice any changes in their level of engagement or enthusiasm compared to traditional learning methods?

Teachers observed that students responded positively to Mobile Stories, often showing increased enthusiasm and engagement.

In Ireland, students enjoyed the structured and professional feel of the platform. The teacher noted a “positive change in their engagement” and highlighted how students appreciated the professional look of their articles. This aspect was “something that would be hard to replicate using traditional learning methods or software.” The variety of options, such as featured stories, news articles and opinion pieces, also appealed to students.

Romanian students were generally enthusiastic, though some found writing about personal experiences challenging. Still, most were “willing to contribute and put in the extra work required by the project.”

In Finland, the teacher shared that students liked working as if they were part of “an actual newspaper editorial staff” and appreciated the features provided by Mobile Stories.

In your experience, how did the tool impact your students’ skills, such as critical thinking, fact-checking, storytelling or more broadly media literacy and journalism? Were there any particular skills that stood out?

Mobile Stories contributed positively to students’ skill development, particularly in critical thinking, fact-checking, and storytelling.

In Ireland, students became more aware of the importance of evaluating the news they consumed. The teacher noted that students improved their “researching skills” and their “ability to fact-check.” The lesson plans encouraged students to explore different news outlets and compare them against the Code of Ethics, which helped them see “huge differences in the quality” of reporting.

In Romania, the experience of becoming “reporters” and “journalists” gave students a better understanding of the media. The teacher highlighted how the platform fostered habits of “skepticism and diligence,” encouraging students to investigate and confirm facts. However, they also pointed out that students often needed teacher support to fully grasp the theoretical information provided by the platform.

In Finland, the tool prompted students to reflect on issues like plagiarism and improve their media literacy. The teacher observed that students became “more aware of critical thinking and fact-checking” and developed strong storytelling skills, especially when combining text with visuals for their articles.

What challenges, if any, did you encounter while implementing Mobile Stories in your teaching? How did you address these challenges?

In Ireland, convincing students to question the reliability of online news was initially difficult. The teacher explained that it “took a lesson or two” for students to fully engage with the idea that “not all news is reliable.” To address this, the teacher leaned heavily on the Code of Ethics and used examples of news stories with varying levels of accuracy to illustrate the point.

Romanian teachers found that writing polished articles under time constraints could overwhelm students. To overcome this, they broke the task into “smaller, manageable stages” and provided consistent support. Additionally, the fact that only a subset of students participated in the project posed challenges for time management and balancing activities in class.

In Finland, the main challenge was ensuring enough time for students to familiarise themselves with the tool.

How would you describe the overall impact of Mobile Stories on student learning outcomes?

The tool had a significant impact on student learning outcomes: in Ireland, the teacher observed that students developed a deeper understanding of journalism and the importance of research. “Some students realised they like journalism,” while others gained valuable skills in evaluating the reliability of news.

Romanian students learned to analyse, create, and interpret media more critically. The teacher emphasised how students became “more objective in their writing” and took greater care in choosing subjects and sources, while also respecting copyright.

In Finland, the teacher found that students were motivated and inspired by the professional feel of the platform. “They felt that they were writing real stuff,” which encouraged them to put in extra effort and take pride in their work.

Do you have any memorable stories or anecdotes about how a particular student used Mobile Stories in a unique or impactful way?

Irish students used Mobile Stories to produce impactful work, some of which featured prominently in their Transition Year Showcase. Topics included local issues like “the closure of local bars in Castleisland” and broader themes such as “clothing brands using kids for labour” and “public transport in the Munster region.” The teacher noted that students were particularly proud of their articles and enjoyed presenting them.

Romanian and Finnish teachers didn’t share specific anecdotes but highlighted how proud students were to share their work with peers and family.

The use of Mobile Stories in classrooms highlights the importance of giving young people the tools, skills, and guidance they need to become responsible media creators and consumers. By providing an intuitive platform, valuable resources, and structured lesson plans, Mobile Stories enables educators to foster critical thinking, media literacy, and journalistic skills in their students.

For more information, visit the Mobile Stories website or check out the newsroom and get a free test account: newsroom.mobilestories.com.

Bakgrund

Den 30 augusti 1958 föddes Anna Politkovskaja i New York, USA. Hon fick en internationell uppväxt eftersom hennes föräldrar var ukrainska diplomater vid FN. Hennes karriär består av flera avgörande händelser. Dessa påverkade inte bara hennes arbete utan bildade även en symbol för mod inom undersökande journalistik.

Hennes uppväxt i USA med diplomater till föräldrar gav henne i en tidig ålder en förståelse för globala och politiska frågor. Hon studerade vid Moskvauniversitetet där hon tog examen i journalistik 1980. Där lärde hon sig vikten av att ifrågasätta makten och gräva djupt.

Efter examen började Politkovskaja jobba på Izvestija, en statligt kontrollerad tidning. Där insåg hon hur den ryska medievärlden föregick med begräsningar och propaganda. Detta blev senare hennes drivkraft för att jobba mot en sanningsenlig rapportering. Under 1990-talet började hon med undersökande journalistik då Ryssland genomgick stora förändringar efter Sovjetunionens fall. Genom detta avslöjande hon dolda samhällsproblem och orättvisor. Detta blev en stor del av Politkovskaja journalistiska identitet.

En stor och viktig del av hennes karriär bestod av rapportering från kriget i Tjetjenien. I konfliktområden dokumenterade hon människorättsbrott, både av ryska styrkor och andra aktörer. Hennes detaljerade och modiga reportage gav en röst åt de utsatta och satte ljus på en konflikt som annars ofta förblev tyst.

På den oberoende tidningen Novaja Gazeta kunde hon 1999 börja publicera kritiska och ofta kontroversiella reportage. Hennes rykte som obeveklig sanningssökare stärktes och stod ofta i stark kontrast till den officiella ryska narrativen. Genom att börja skriva böcker som Putins Ryssland avslöjade Politkovskaja systematiska brott mot mänskligheten och korruption i landet. Detta bidrog till att skapa internationell medvetenhet om den ryska politiken vilket även och utmanade maktstrukturer på högsta nivå.

Hot och censur kostande henne personlig när hon vägrade böja sig. Hon utsattes för allvarliga hot, trakasserier och en misstänkt förgiftning 2004 - händelser som speglade den fara som präglar livet för en undersökande journalist i ett auktoritärt klimat.

Journalistik

Anna Politkovskaja var en rättskämpe som med sin journalistik kämpade för vad hon ansåg var rätt. Hon redogjorde konsekvent om övergrepp, diskriminering och andra kränkningar av människors grundläggande rättigheter, framför allt i konfliktdrabbade områden. Ett exempel var hennes heroiska insatser i Tjetjenien där hennes endast syfte och mål var att visa för omvärlden om de grymheter och övergrepp som civila fick utstå. Hennes arbete kom att skapa en förståelse bland omvärlden om hur mycket grymheter och kränkningar av mänskliga rättigheter som ger i skymundan i krigsdrabbade områden.

Vidare var Anna Politkovskaja en av få Ryssland som öppet vågade kritisera den utbredda korruptionen inom landet samt hur makten utnyttjas för att tysta alla motståndare och begränsa såväl yttrandefriheten som pressfriheten. Genom att utmana denna censur riskerade hon sitt egna liv, men i och med hennes modiga agerande och hennes fasta beslutsamhet att stå för att vad hon ansåg var rätt blev hon en symbol för integritet inom journalistiken. Annas arbete kom sedan att ha en stor betydelse för samhället och kom att påverka såväl Ryssland som omvärlden. Genom hennes modiga arbete och journalistik avslöjande satte hon ljus för problem som under en lång tid var dolda av bland annat propaganda. Hon avslöjade den breda rådande korruptionen inom Ryssland, men även de många människorättsbrott som pågår i konfliktzoner. Detta skapa en ökade förståelse bland omvärlden om hur blodiga och hemska konflikter ofta är.

Detta flitiga arbete kom även att sätta press på den ryska regeringen att redovisa och ta ansvar för sina handlingar. Däremot var förändringarna påtagligt långsamma. Vidare, genom den ökade medvetenheten började även globala debatter att ta form om vikten av att försvara dem mänskliga rättigheterna och pressfriheten, men även med betoning på dem utmaningar som diktaturer står inför. Utöver ökad medvetenhet och press på den ryska regeringen inspirerande hon mängder av journalister att följa i hennes fotspår och kämpa för mänskliga rättigheter. Genom att inte vika sig för påtryckningar och hot visade hon hur extremt viktig journalistiken är för ett demokratiskt samhälle.

Sammantaget ledde Politkovskajas arbete inte bara till en större internationell medvetenhet om de problem som Ryssland stod inför, utan det stärkte också det globala engagemanget för att skydda de mänskliga rättigheterna och säkerställa att sanningen kommer fram, trots farorna det kan medföra.

Händelsen

Anna var egentligen aldrig fängslad eller gripen på riktigt, utan hon var en oberoende och självständig journalist som hela tiden kritiserade befintliga maktstrukturer genom bland annat sin journalistik om Tjetjenien och klandrandet mot den ryska regeringen. Allt detta tog dessvärre ett abrupt slut när hon den 7 oktober 2006 mördades i en hiss i hennes hemstad Moskva. Frågorna kring hennes mord blev många och det saknas ett riktigt svar. Man tror att det begicks på politiska grunder på grund av hennes kontroversiella journalistik om bland annat kriget i Tjetjenien och den ryska regeringens metoder. Händelsen kom att skapa stora rubriker – en modiga journalist som vågade att stå upp för vad hon ansåg var rätt och fel blev en symbol för det saftiga priset detta kan komma att kosta i en förtryckande miljö.

Det mystiska mordet kom att väcka stor upprördhet, både nationellt och internationellt. Många såg detta som ett kraftigt angrepp mot pressfriheten och en journalists rätt att granska makthavare och maktstrukturer. Mordet fördömdes omgående av internationella människorättsorganisationer och medier, så som FN, EU och Amnesty International och uppmanade till en oberoende utredning. Även många journalister, både ryska och internationella, visade en kraftig sorg och chock över det som hade hänt. Politkovskajas kollegor såg mordet som en bekräftelse på den farliga politiska miljön som förekommer i Ryssland. Flera medier och pressfrihetsgrupper krävde rättvisa och ett ökat skydd för journalister i landet. Det ryska systemet kritiserades omgående av internationella regeringar för att vara inkapabelt att skydda sina medborgare och sin press.

Däremot, trots dem många spekulationer som cirkulerade, förnekade Ryssland frekvent sin inblandning eller sitt ansvar. Detta ledde till en ökad misstro och misstänksamhet gentemot den ryska regeringen, både nationellt och internationellt, vilket sedan kom att bana vägen för en bred diskussion om demokratin och pressfrihetens tillstånd i Ryssland.

Politkovskajas död låg till grund för en enorm internationell reaktion. Dock har den inte lett till några revolutionerade förändring i den ryska demokratin eller det ryska skyddet för journalister. Dock har mordet lett till en så kallad "chilling effect" vilket innebär att journalister i stället känner sig mer begränsade och hotade när de hittar material och skapar sin rapportering.

Dock har Politkovskajas fall inspirerat många journalister, både i Ryssland och internationellt. Dessutom har mediescenen i Sverige och internationellt ökat omfattning kring de diskussioner som först om ökat skydd och oberoende utredningar av brott mot journalister. Dessutom har internationella organisationer fortsatt sitt arbete för att öka säkerheten för journalister och ge dem ökat juridiskt skydd. Dock är situationen i Ryssland ytterst farlig för journalister fortfarande.

Avslutning

Historian om Anna Politkovskaja är en påminnelse om hur viktig roll sanningssökande journalister fyller i en fungerande demokrati. Att utmana de maktstrukturer som undertrycker röst och rättvisa är inte bara ett yrke, utan en plikt att kämpa för transparens och sanning. Detta bidrog Politkovskajas mod till. Genom detta arbete har vi lärt oss att journalistikens integritet är central för ett fritt samhälle. Vi påstår därför att det är viktigt och till och med avgörande att journalister ges det skydd och stöd de behöver för att kunna utföra sitt arbete och rädsla för repressalier.

Anna Politkovskajas historia bevisar även att pressfriheten inte är självklar, och att den aktiv borde förvaltas. Att skydda journalister är inte bara att värna om deras liv, utan även om våra mänskliga rättigheter, demokratiska intuitioner och samhällets förmåga att granska makten. Anna Politkovskaja är inte bara en symbol för mod, utan även en uppmaning tills oss alla för att stå upp för sanning och rättvisa. Vidare även att de som offrar sina liv för att ge oss nyheter även behöver skydd.