{{Short description|Norwegian online newspaper}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = The Barents Observer | logo = Logo thebarentsobserver.png | language = English, Russian, Chinese | format = Online newspaper | founded = 2015 | editor = Thomas Nilsen | website = {{Official URL}} }}

'''''The Barents Observer''''' (formally '''''The Independent Barents Observer''''') is a Norwegian online newspaper which publishes news and op-ed content about the Barents Region in English, Russian and Chinese. The newspaper is based in Kirkenes and is owned by its journalists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proff.no/selskap/the-independent-barentsobserver-as/kirkenes/aviser-fagblader-og-tidsskrifter/IF5FB4R0ZDB/|title=The Independent Barentsobserver AS - 916104987 - Kirkenes - Se Regnskap, Roller og mer|website=www.proff.no}}</ref> It receives financial support from the European Endowment for Democracy, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Norwegian government, the Fritt Ord foundation, private companies and individuals.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/about-us|title=The Barents Observer values freedom of speech and support for democracy|website=The Independent Barents Observer|access-date=2022-07-31|archive-date=2021-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509020417/https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/about-us|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kommunikasjon.ntb.no/pressemelding/medietilsynet-har-fordelt-21-millionar-kroner-nesten-halvparten-av-arets-innovasjonsstotte-gar-til-sma-lokale-medium?publisherId=89456&releaseId=17903624|title=Medietilsynet har fordelt 21 millionar kroner: Nesten halvparten av årets innovasjonsstøtte går til små, lokale medium &#124; Medietilsynet|website=kommunikasjon.ntb.no}}</ref>

== History == The newspaper's predecessor was founded by Atle Staalesen in 2002 as ''Barents News''. It changed its name to ''BarentsObserver'' in 2003 and operated under the aegis of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat from 2005 to 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of BarentsObserver.com |url=https://barentsobserver.com/en/history-barentsobservercom |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Barentsobserver |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Barents Observer values freedom of speech and support for democracy |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/about-us |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=The Independent Barents Observer |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509020417/https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/about-us |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following a dispute regarding their editorial freedom in 2015, the newspaper's staff left ''BarentsObserver'' and subsequently launched today's journalist owned paper, ''The Independent Barents Observer''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NTB |date=2015-10-23 |title=Barents Observer-journalister starter ny nettavis |url=https://www.journalisten.no/thomas-nilsen-barentssekretariatet-barents-observer/barents-observer-journalister-starter-ny-nettavis/306026 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.journalisten.no |language=nb-no}}</ref>

The online newspaper launched its Chinese version in 2019, having previously been published in English and Russian only.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silvola |first=Nils Martin |date=2019-02-13 |title=The Barents Observer lanserer kinesisk versjon |url=https://www.journalisten.no/atle-staalesen-aviser-barents-observer/the-barents-observer-lanserer-kinesisk-versjon/350892 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.journalisten.no |language=nb-no}}</ref>

=== 2019 Russian censorship === [[File:Barents Observer panel at National Press Club.jpg|thumb|''Barents Observer'' journalists at a 2025 press freedom panel at the National Press Club.]] In March 2019, ''The Barents Observer'' was blocked for readers in Russia after having published an interview with a homosexual Sámi activist describing his suicidal thoughts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/life-and-public/2019/01/suicide-attempts-happiness-and-pride|title=From suicide attempts to happiness and Sámi pride|website=The Independent Barents Observer |date=10 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bellona.org/news/russian-human-rights-issues/russian-ngo-law/2019-02-moscow-bans-the-barents-observer-from-russian-internet|title=Moscow bans the Barents Observer from Russian Internet|date=February 20, 2019|website=Bellona.org}}</ref> A member of the Russian State Duma supported the blocking, saying that the article expressed "degeneration and decay".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norwegianamerican.com/russia-blocks-barents-observer/|title=Russia blocks Barents Observer|first=The Norwegian|last=American|date=March 7, 2019|website=The Norwegian American}}</ref> The newspaper actively tries to bypass the blockade.<ref name="auto"/>

=== 2022 Murmansk recording === In 2022, ''The Barents Observer'' was offered a video showing a Norwegian diplomat complaining about a hotel room in Murmansk, using undiplomatic language. Thomas Nielsen, the newspaper's editor, decided not to publish the video, justifying his decision by saying that the video was filmed by Russian intelligence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/urix/norsk-diplomat-i-russland_-_-provokasjon-fra-russisk-etterretning-1.16053312|title=Norsk diplomat i Russland: – Provokasjon frå russisk etterretning|first=Jo Arne|last=Marvik|date=July 31, 2022|website=NRK}}</ref> The case was widely covered by other outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2022 |title=Norwegian consul filmed insulting Russians at hotel |url=https://www.thelocal.no/20220731/norwegian-consul-filmed-insulting-russians-at-hotel/ |website=The Local |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref>

On February 18, 2025, ''The Barents Observer'' was declared an undesirable organization by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.<ref name="themskt-20250207">{{cite news|title=Russia Labels Barents Observer 'Undesirable' After European Court Ruling|url=https://themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/07/russia-labels-barents-observer-undesirable-after-european-court-ruling-a87897|access-date=19 February 2025|work=The Moscow Times|date=7 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219170201/https://themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/07/russia-labels-barents-observer-undesirable-after-european-court-ruling-a87897|archive-date=19 February 2025|language=en}}</ref>

== References ==

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Category:Newspapers published in Norway Category:Kirkenes Category:Norwegian news websites Category:Organizations listed in Russia as undesirable