Meduza shares 21 reasons friends have used to convince each other to donate
Independent Russian outlet Meduza published a piece collecting 21 arguments its staff have used to persuade friends to donate, since direct donations from Russia are banned. The list mixes emotional, practical and values-based reasoning.
Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet designated a "foreign agent" and blocked inside Russia, has published a collection of 21 arguments its own staff members have used on their friends to encourage donations. Because Russian law bars people in Russia from donating to the outlet directly, Meduza suggests asking someone else to give "on your behalf" instead.
Emotional and belonging-based arguments
Some arguments lean on emotion: anger at the weekly expansion of the "foreign agents" list, a wish to feel less powerless when the state restricts something as small as supporting a favorite news outlet, and the general mood boost that comes from giving to a cause. Others tap into a sense of ownership — staff note that donors tend to read the outlet's articles more closely once they've paid for them, comparing it to self-assembled furniture feeling more valuable than store-bought pieces.
Practical and values-driven arguments
Other points are more practical: producing content and getting around website blocks costs money, the outlet's app offers books for free despite their real cost, and Meduza runs almost no advertising, meaning donations are a key funding source. Values-based arguments compare donating to Meduza with buying a VPN for relatives in Russia — a modest expense that helps people access independent information amid growing restrictions.
The piece also includes reader testimonials from a section called "Help From a Friend," where supporters explain in their own words why they give, with several crediting Meduza with helping them understand world events, including the war in Ukraine, and maintain a sense of hope.
