VOA标准英语2009年-Stalin's Grandson Sues Prominent Russian N

By Jessica Golloher
Moscow
02 November 2009

Joseph Stalin's grandson has sued a prominent Russian newspaper for libel, claiming Novaya Gazeta is tarnishing¹ the former Soviet² leader's good name. The news comes on the heels of a United Nation's committee finding that Russia does not do enough to protect those who go against Russian authorities or protect its citizens from human rights abuses.

The grandson of the man, who many believe is responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent people, has sued a prominent Russian newspaper over a recent article.  Yevgeny Dzhugashvilli disputes the fact that the former Soviet leader personally signed politburo death orders as stated in the article.  He is seeking nearly $300,000 from Novaya Gazeta.

Dzhugashvilli's lawyer claims that the article, based on declassified³ Kremlin documents, damaged Stalin's reputation as an outstanding leader. Allison Gill is director of Human Rights Watch here in Moscow. "To me it smacks⁴ of harrassment. It smacks of harrassing a newspaper to do its job. The claim of the complaintent here is going to be very difficult to prove. Its going to cost Novaya Gazeta time and money to defend itself. when in fact we have a pretty well-established historical record here that establishes what Stalin did as a leader," he says.

Gill says it's unfair that journalists always have to watch their step in a country that claims to be a democracy. And, she says, a suit could be the least of a reporter's problems. "Its dangerous for reporters to work in Russia.  There have been many murders and physical attacks and threats against journalists for just doing their jobs. They face harrassment at almost every level," he says.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Russia as the third most dangerous country to work.

Four journalists that have reported for Novaya Gazeta have been murdered in the last eight years. The newspaper claims the reporters were targeted for their investigative reporting.

Christopher Boian is Bureau Chief for the Agence French Press in Moscow. He says reporting in the former Soviet Union can be an occupational hazard. "The local home-grown Russian journalists that are really on the inside, that know the score, that really practice their profession, run real measurable risks," he says.

Boian goes on to say that he's not bothered that Stalin's grandson has sued Novaya Gazeta, because he feels that everyone has the right to file a suit. He does say, however, that journalists don't have confidence in the Russian courts. "There is a problem with the judiciary.  There is a problem with the notion of being able to take cases to the courty, cases where journalists are threatened, publications are supressed, or information distorted.  There is something of a culture of impunity⁵ here," he says.

A judge recently ruled against Yevgeny Dzhugashvilli's lawsuit⁶.  Joseph Stalin's grandson is expected to appeal the decision.

One current prominent Russian leader does not agree with Dzhugashvilli's lawsuit against the Novaya Gazeta newspaper. On Friday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev complained that he thought too many young Russians didn't realize the scope of Stalin's destruction. On his video blog, President Medvedev stated that the crimes of the past should not be forgiven and that Russia should not forget the damage Stalin did.

 

1 tarnishing   

（印花）白地沾色

参考例句：

• The causes of tarnishing gold and silver-plated connectors were studied respectively. 分别探讨了接插件镀金和镀银层变色的原因。
• Bright tin electrodeposits on copper wire are susceptible to tarnishing. 铜线材经光亮镀锡后易产生腐蚀变色。

2 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

3 declassified   

adj.解密的v.对（机密文件等）销密( declassify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Thousands of classified documents have now been declassified. 数以千计的保密文件现在被解密了。
• The software used for Siemens S7-300 encryption logic block declassified. 此软件用于对西门子S7-300加密逻辑块解密。

4 smacks   

掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌

参考例句：

• His politeness smacks of condescension. 他的客气带有屈尊俯就的意味。
• It was a fishing town, and the sea was dotted with smacks. 这是个渔业城镇，海面上可看到渔帆点点。

5 impunity   

n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除

参考例句：

• You will not escape with impunity.你不可能逃脱惩罚。
• The impunity what compulsory insurance sets does not include escapement.交强险规定的免责范围不包括逃逸。

6 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。