circle of volunteer assistants

Join the "NonMoscow Speaks" media support volunteer group and increase our efficiency. Let's create NonMoscow together! 

Friends, NeMoscow needs your help! As you understand, today is not the best time for journalism in Russia.

We don't have correspondents on the ground in every region of our vast and diverse country. And it's not always possible to send someone to the scene.

We also need experts in a wide range of fields. We want to study the country beyond the Moscow Ring Road in depth and with expertise. We, provincials, certainly know it well in many ways, but with your help, we can learn much more.

We invite you to create NotMoscow together with us and for this we are gathering friends - a circle of volunteer assistants (aka efficiency).

Viktor Muchnik, editor-in-chief of the media outlet "Govorit NeMoskva" (NotMoscow Speaking)

join

What does the group do?

Together with us create media

We may ask you for help, for example, in the following cases: 

you need to get more information about a specific location, about events, institutions, processes in this location;
you need to fulfill a simple request - for example, send photos of something specific from the location;
we are looking for heroes on a specific topic or in a specific location;
requires expert or "inside" commentary for publication or better understanding;
We have launched or are planning to launch a new project or product and would like to receive feedback.

You can also contact us if you want to report news about your region or city, share your story, or point out errors. 

Yes, we're talking about volunteer, unpaid participation in our work. Voluntary is the key word in this interaction. If you can't or don't want to respond to a particular request, that's okay! Maybe next time :)

Who can join the group? 

Any reader NotMoscow

We primarily welcome residents of non-capital Russia, but your current geographic location is not that important. You can live in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or even outside of Russia. 

What's much more important is that you share our values, our commitment to decentralization, our love for the regions, and our understanding that real change in the country will begin with them.

Is this safe? 

Мы taken care of about it being like this

You're probably aware that NeMoskva was recently designated a "foreign agent." We disagree with this designation, and we regularly write and speak out about its arbitrary nature and discriminatory role. For those who work with us, this isn't such a scary label: it's not yet a criminal offense, just "undesirability" or "extremism." And our cooperation poses no legal risks for you.

However, we understand that there are risks outside the legal framework, so we have tried to organize the group's work as safely as possible. 

Only the project coordinator, who is located outside the country, will have access to your full data. Regular journalists and editors will only have access to a truncated and partially encrypted version of the data, which will not contain your unique identifiers (real name, contact information, social media links, etc.).
Interaction between us will be private and through the bot's administrative interface (which, in fact, allows us to avoid sharing your contact information with others). No public chats; isolation is the principle. Other group members will know nothing about you or our interactions unless you tell them.  
The OVD-Info project, which has been engaging thousands of volunteers for several years, donated a bot for secure communications to us. The system has been tested in other projects (for example, at the GLUSH service, which has hundreds of participants) and has undergone a multi-stage security audit.
Finally, it would never occur to us to approach you with dangerous requests.  
If the situation changes (for example, a publication is assigned a higher-risk status), you will be notified immediately.

What will this give me?

Firstly, self-realization

You will be able to participate in the creation of a young and vibrant uncensored media outlet. 

Get priority, trusted access to our editorial team (for example, if you want to share a news story or news item with us). 

Once a quarter, we'll be hosting online meetings with the editor-in-chief. You'll be able to ask him any questions and provide feedback. You can also remain anonymous at these meetings (we'll explain how).

Ok, I'm ready, where should I sign?

Do two easy steps

Step 1. Read our rules. There are only five of them.

What are the rules of the group?

First: we take care of each other. We strive to communicate warmly, carefully, politely, without aggression or toxicity. We don't add stress to this world.

Second: we do not allow judgmental, offensive, or degrading statements in communications based on age, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, social status, psychological characteristics, or physical appearance. 

Third: we share the values ​​of freedom (of belief, thought, speech, conscience, religion, self-expression) and humanism (non-support of war, hostility, violence, national, racial or religious hatred, incitement to discrimination of any kind, hate speech).

Fourth: We ask that you refrain from radical statements and assessments, swearing and insults, regardless of whether they relate to other members of the group, editorial staff or any third parties (even if you sincerely believe that these same “third parties” deserve it).  

Fifth: we try to resolve any conflict situations peacefully among ourselves, and if that doesn’t work, we bring in a mediator. 

Violation of the rules may result in exclusion from the group.  

Step 2. If you agree with the rules, go to our telegram bot and click "start." The bot will help you register. During the registration process, you'll need to fill out Free, which will also be sent by the bot. You choose exactly what information you share with us; most of the survey questions are optional. However, we ask that you answer as thoroughly as possible and not skip fields. This is important so we can verify your information, get to know you better, and understand what requests we may have from you. Again, please remember: this information is for our use only. 

IMPORTANT: Do this to stay in touch with us.

(aboutespecially if you are subscribed to a large number of channels and groups on Telegram)

First, the You can pin the bot, Then the chat with the bot will always be at the top of the list. To do this, in the desktop version, right-click on the chat with the bot in the chat list and select "Pin" from the context menu. In the mobile version, long-press the chat with the bot in the chat list, then click the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Pin."

Secondly, you can Add a chat with a bot to a separate folder — the one you're guaranteed to view. To do this, in the desktop version, right-click on the bot chat in the chat list, select "Add to folder" from the context menu, and select a folder or create a new one. In the mobile version, long-press on the bot chat in the chat list, then click the three dots in the upper right corner, select "Add to folder," and select a folder. If you need to create a new folder in the mobile version, go to "Settings" in the menu, then "Chat folders," then "Create new folder."

And thirdly, If possible, do not disable notifications from the bot. They definitely won't come often. To manage notifications, enter the bot chat and click the three dots in the upper right corner. The top menu item allows you to turn notifications on and off.

We'll review your application within ten days. We may contact you to clarify any details or ask any additional questions. Then approve or disapprove your application.

A notification about whether your application has been approved or rejected will also be sent to the Telegram bot. From now on our interaction begins. You will receive messages from us through the same bot and will be able to reply to us there.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions questions

For what reason might my application be rejected?

Firstly, if the coordinator was unable to verify your identity (insufficient data for verification).

Secondly, if we see statements in your profile or on your social media pages that violate the rules (link to them in step 1), namely: 

  • support for war, hostility, violence, national, racial or religious hatred, incitement to discrimination of any kind, hate speech,
  • evaluative, offensive, or degrading statements about a person based on age, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, social status, psychological characteristics, or physical appearance.

What if I want to leave the group?

Of course, you can do this at any time. It's all about love. To do this, either block the bot (if you simply want to stop receiving messages from us) or ask the bot to delete your data from all sources. 

Are there any safety recommendations for project participants?

Recommendation number one: don't underestimate the risks. If you think you're a "little guy" and therefore the system won't be interested in you, please dispel that misconception. The system doesn't just target the "big players." It also has a plan, including public floggings and intimidation campaigns. Unfortunately, any of us could be the unfortunate recipient of a "textbook."

We've done everything we can to minimize your risks. However, there are still a few steps you can take. When interacting with us, please follow these rules:

  • Don't keep unnecessary messages. To do this, set disappearing messages in the messenger settings (this can be done for all conversations in the general settings or for an individual conversation: click on the contact, then on the three dots in the top panel, then click "Auto-delete" and set the period after which the messages will be deleted) or make it a rule to regularly (for example, once every two weeks) clear the correspondence manually;
  • Reduce the information distribution zone: remove applications from devices you don't use or rarely use, check active sessions and forcefully terminate sessions on uncontrolled devices (but don't be alarmed immediately if you see an unfamiliar region; perhaps you used a VPN whose service is located in another country), share our interactions only with those you truly trust, and don't talk about them publicly;
  • Reduce the risk of device theft by ensuring that your device is securely locked (enable screen lock when the device is idle, disable display of notification text on the locked screen, do not use biometric identification or a pattern to unlock);
  • Reduce the risk of hacking by: setting up two-factor authentication in Telegram (settings => privacy => cloud password), using a strong password (passwords for different services should be different; use a password manager like KeePass or Bitwarden to store them);
  • Use a VPN—it will protect your metadata (such as the IP addresses of the people you're communicating with) and add an extra layer of encryption around your internet traffic.

Still have questions and doubts?

Feel free to write in free form. via bot.

You will help Nastya, project coordinator.