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Stony Brook Today
By the People, for the People
Pulitzer Prize Winner And Former Russian Political Prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza To Speak In Stony Brook
He will discuss the history of media suppression in Russia and his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Pulitzer Prize winner and former Russian political prisoner, will be the guest speaker at the annual Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecture at Stony Brook University. Kara-Murza will discuss the history of media suppression in Russia and his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in him spending more than two years in prison, including 11 months in solitary confinement.
Why it matters
Kara-Murza's talk is part of a series that invites leading international journalists, media professionals, and thought leaders to discuss the role of journalism in society. As a former political prisoner and vocal critic of the Russian government, his perspective on media suppression and the invasion of Ukraine is particularly relevant.
The details
Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years for treason but was released in an East-West prisoner exchange in 2024. He currently serves as vice-president at the Free Russia Foundation, chairman of the Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative at the McCain Institute, senior advisor at Human Rights First, and senior fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.
- The program will begin in the Charles Wang Center at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The players
Vladimir Kara-Murza
A Pulitzer Prize winner and former Russian political prisoner who will be the guest speaker at the annual Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecture at Stony Brook University.
Marie Colvin
An acclaimed war correspondent who was killed in Syria in February 2012 while working for The Sunday Times of London. Her story was turned into a Hollywood movie, "A Private War," starring Rosamund Pike.
The takeaway
Kara-Murza's talk at the Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecture will provide valuable insights into the suppression of media and opposition to the Russian government, particularly in the context of the invasion of Ukraine. His perspective as a former political prisoner and prominent critic of the Kremlin will be an important contribution to the ongoing discussion about the role of journalism in society.
