Graduate of the Journalism School, University of International Relations (Moscow) at different stages of her career she was a staff writer, analyst, diplomatic correspondent, member of the editorial board with the Russian weekly Novoye Vremia (New Times); political advisor to the first Foreign Minister of Russia (1992-1995);  2001-2010 - Editor-in-Chief of Sovershenno Secretno monthly (the first independent Russian newspaper, specializing in investigative reporting); winner of the national Artiom Borovik award for the best journalist investigation (2007).

In March 2011 she co-founded in Moscow Foundation for Investigative Journalism – Foundation 19/29 (the numbers refer to the freedom of expression Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the Russian Constitution). It is the first NGO in Russia to defend the interests of investigative journalists, the most endangered part of the journalistic community. Its mission is to facilitate investigations into crimes against colleagues and render support – professional, judicial, financial to those in trouble due to their work; help investigative reporters to develop their professional skills, taking advantage of the modern media technologies; merge potential of professional and citizen journalism to achieve high-standard broad investigative reporting, organize trans-boarder investigations into corruption cases.

In 2012 Mrs. Sidorova was elected Chair of the Executive board of the Vienna based International Press Institute (IPI), a global organization of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the press freedom