Is It Journalism or Spying?

by Positivity Reigns

I was reminded this week of a journalist imprisoned in Russia, Evan Gershkovitz, who just received his sentence of 16 years of confinement in Russian prison. He's been in custody since March 2023, and is now believed to be the first journalist from the United States to be convicted of espionage.

Even now, although he is not able to publish stories, via video of Evan that has been released I feel that he uses his body language and eyes to convey so many things. He may be trying to show he is doing his best to make it through this experience but hopes he is released soon. The level and number of emotions he must be feeling, knowing his government and employer are doing what they can to get him out, but hopelessness knowing that his fate is at the mercy of Russia must be intense. Georgi Kantchev points out in his story how President Bident states Evan "was targeted by the Russian government because he is a journalist and an American." There are many within the government with high hopes Evan can eventually be traded in a prisoner swap soon now that he has been convicted, which Russia generally requires first, before they are open to such action. Only time will tell. His inability to share pretty much any words at all with the public actually speaks volumes about his current situation all on its own.

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