Russian journalists condemn ‘gag’ after Putin story

Journalists at a Russian newspaper have signed an open letter of protest after its owner fired two top executives over a photo insulting Vladimir Putin.

More than 60 staff at Kommersant, a liberal business daily, signed the letter after the owner, metals magnate Alisher Usmanov, sacked the two men.

We are being compelled to be cowards, which is unworthy and unproductive, the internet letter said.

Mr Usmanov said he understood the journalists but stood by his decision — via redwolf.newsvine.com