Since 1985, Russia has been on a tumultuous roller coaster from Soviet Communism to Yeltsin's form of democracy and now back to an authoritarian regime. The media has been along for the ride boomeranging from state control to independence and back.
Progression of the Media from Gorbachev to Yeltsin
In 1985, Former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev introduced "glasnost," meaning openness, allowing for freedom of the press and the free flow of information.
The press exposed government mistakes and the deficient Soviet economy relative to prospering nations. The free press damaged Gorbachev's political party, and was a factor leading to the breakup of the Soviet Union.
As Russia's first president, Yeltsin embraced the independent media and allowed criticism until it threatened his goal of a second term as president..
Yeltsin was unpopular after years of economic hardships and a wasteful war in Chechnya, and needed help in his 1996 reelection campaign. The oligarchs, who controlled most of the media, gave Yeltsin favorable media attention resulting in his reelection.
Renationalization of the media under Putin
Soon after becoming president in 2000, Putin increased the state's control of the media. In the summer of 2000, authorities indicted oligarch Vladimir Gusinsky, the head of Media-Most, which owned the last independent television network, on charges of fraud. Putin followed up by putting a KGB veteran in charge of the telecommunications industry.
In his ongoing battle against the oligarchs, Putin launched an attack against Boris Berezovsky, the principal shareholder in Russia's main television channel. Berezovsky fled to London and relinquished his control of the television station to the Russian government.
In 2008, the parliament approved amendments expanding vague anti-extremism laws, which are used to suppress Kremlin critics.
Journalists are Murdered but There is No Justice
According to an article by John Crowfoot from the International Federation of Journalists, over 150 journalists have been murdered in Russia since 1993. For murders occurring in Moscow, only 7 trials have taken place resulting in 4 convictions and 3 acquittals.
Since 2001, four journalists from "Novaya gazeta," an independent newspaper that often criticizes the Kremlin, have been murdered, including Anna Politkovskaya.
The Future of Free Media
The latest murder of journalist Anastasia Barburova and human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov occurred in January, 2009. President Medvedev invited Dimitry Muratov, the editor in chief of "Novaya gazeta," and Mikhail Gorbachev, who co-owns a 49 percent stake in the newspaper, to the Kremlin for a meeting to discuss Barburova's murder.
During the meeting, Medvedev was supportive of "Novaya gazeta," saying "Thank God the newspaper exists." Medvedev recognized that it is necessary to accept criticism from independent sources.
Medvedev promised to "watch over" Barburova's murder investigation and acknowledged that killings by facist groups are in contradiction to the path Russia should be taking.
Although Medvedev seems more attentive to this murder than Putin was after the murder of Politkovskaya, it is difficult to determine whether Medvedev is seriously concerned or if he is paying lip service to the newspaper's editor and Gorbachev. Putin arguably has more influence than Medvedev regarding the direction Russia is heading. Putin's disregard of slain journalists could mask Medvedev's concern, if Medvedev turns out to be Putin's political puppet.
Sources:
"Russia President 'Will Watch Over' Journalist's Murder Investigation" Radio Free Europe. January 29, 2009.
Crowfoot, John. "Over 150 Journalists Have Been Murdered in Russia During the Past 15 Years." Johnson's Russia List. February 18, 2008.
Vanessa Padgalskas - Vanessa graduated from American University in 2007 with a double major in International Studies and Economics. Her studies focused on ...
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