In a crucial moment of transition in the late 1980s Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and began to liberalise the soviet political system. He allowed in the name ofglasnostseveral newspapers, literary journals and weekly magazines greater editional licence to criticise the Soviet system. Gorbachev’s glasnost gave birth to a new generation of independent-minded journalists. A law on the mass media gave the new Russian Federation a framework. The law was passed in 1991 and amended several times, and it is still one of the most democratic laws in the country. It guarantees everybody the freedom of thought and speech and the right freely to seek, transfer, produce and disseminate information by any lawful means. Article 29.5 forbids censorship and guarantees the freedom of the mass media. In 1991 Russian media celebrated this opportunity and most Russian press declared their independence from the state. Freed from censorship, new quality newspapers acted as a forum for debate of public issues and they took great pride in calling themselves the “fourth estate”. Papers like Nezavisimaya Gazeta or Independent Newspaper for example gloried in the freedom to act as a forum for discussions. The liberalization of television too began in 1990, when the state-owned Russian television station RTR was founded. RTR started broadcasting in spring 1991 and started to show its programs on the Second Channel.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. Political reasons
II. Economic reasons
III. Sociological and historic reasons
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the systemic decline of press freedom in post-communist Russia, investigating how political, economic, and historical factors have converged to marginalize independent media and consolidate state control over the information landscape.
- The evolution of censorship mechanisms from the glasnost era to the present.
- The impact of state influence and judicial pressures on independent journalism.
- Economic challenges and the role of oligarchs in media consolidation.
- Sociological and historical barriers to an independent press in Russia.
- The political instrumentalization of national television.
Excerpt from the Book
“Soft persuasion” and part freedom from 1991 - 1995
The rot began early. Already in 1994 when the army sociologist, Colonel Yuri Derugin, published a very critical article about the Russian army, the ministry's press office accused the media of “provocative attempts to drag the army into political score-settling and palace intrigues.” These soft beginnings of pressure became stronger when Russian aircraft first began to bomb Grozny in August 1994 to topple the Chechen government and later invaded Chechnya.
In the so called first Chechnya war, the government spent much effort in making it as difficult as possible for journalists of the state owned Channel One (ORT) to report about the war. Journalists who went to the first Chechnya war had no medical insurance or flak jackets and only got an additional payment of $5 a day for going to the war zone. Moreover ORT and RTR recieved less funding and consequently could not afford satellite dishes to transmit their reports.
By contrast, Gusinsky’s commercial NTV was marked by its fearless reporting of the first Chechnya war. So the Yeltsin government exerted strong pressure on NTV to stop its vivid and accurate reporting on that disaster. NTV resisted the pressure, but was constantly aware of its vulnerability and knew that its licence could be revoked. With two or three camera crews in Chechnya at all times NTV network broadcast dramatic footage, including shots of piles of dead Russian soldiers in the centre of Grozny. The effect of these images was strong: most Russians seemed to realize that the official explanation for the invasion – that it was necessary to stop Chechen gangsters and that Chechnya had to be brought back into the Russian Federation – was suspect.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a historical overview of the development of media laws in Russia since the late 1980s, highlighting the initial optimism following glasnost and the subsequent decline of press independence.
I. Political reasons: Analyzes the methods of state control over the media, including judicial pressure, the targeting of journalists, and the systematic tightening of regulations across three distinct post-communist phases.
II. Economic reasons: Explores how the transition to a market economy and the subsequent influence of oligarchs and state-owned enterprises like Gazprom have compromised the financial viability and independence of media outlets.
III. Sociological and historic reasons: Discusses the impact of historical state dominance on the Russian mentality and the current public apathy toward political processes, which facilitates the consolidation of power.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the multifaceted causes of media suppression, arguing that the lack of institutional autonomy is a defining feature of the current Russian political system.
Keywords
Censorship, Russia, Media Freedom, Glasnost, Politics, Economics, Journalism, Chechnya War, State Control, Oligarchs, Managed Democracy, Mass Media, Television, Press Law, Civil Society
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The work provides an in-depth analysis of the factors contributing to the decline of press freedom in Russia, examining how the political, economic, and social environments have shaped the modern media landscape.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include the evolution of state censorship, the economic challenges facing independent media, the role of oligarchs, and the enduring influence of the Soviet-era mentality on modern Russian information consumption.
What is the primary research goal of the essay?
The essay aims to identify who or what is responsible for the ongoing deterioration of democratic media rights in Russia by analyzing structural, political, and economic variables.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative, descriptive approach, relying on historical review, analysis of media laws, examination of political events, and academic literature regarding post-Soviet governance.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body is divided into three analytical sections: political reasons (such as judicial bias), economic reasons (privatization and market pressure), and sociological/historical reasons (mentality and the legacy of the Soviet era).
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as censorship, managed democracy, media freedom, state control, and the impact of the Chechen conflicts on Russian journalism.
How did the first Chechen war affect the Russian media?
The first Chechen war served as a critical turning point where the government realized the power of visual media, leading to stricter guidelines and increased pressure on networks like NTV for their candid, critical reporting.
What significance does the author attribute to television in Russia?
The author argues that television is the most vital mass medium in Russia, noting that control over television images has become the primary mechanism for winning elections and shaping public opinion.
- Citation du texte
- M.A. Sandra Tauer (Auteur), 2006, Censorship in contemporary Russia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/59612
