Media Manipulation and Political Control in Russia

According to this 12-page study commissioned by the Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM), the early post-communist years of Russia engendered diverse and lively media, encouraged by a pluralistic environment. However, as indicated here, political change in the direction of tradition has led to a nationally controlled state television (all three national channels) and much media self-censorship.

As stated here "[b]y the late 1990s Russia was ready for a return of a more traditional political pattern: the dominance of the state over a weak and fragmented society, and an uncontested supreme ruler. Vladimir Putin fitted that pattern." The state, according to the author, relies on national television channels as a political resource to shape public opinion by boosting, playing down, or ignoring any figure or event. However, "Russia has a number of smaller-audience media guided by professional skills and standards. But the existing free media remain irrelevant when the political process is tightly controlled. Since journalists operate by the grace of the government, self-censorship has become ubiquitous, though the degree of self-restriction may vary significantly." As reported here, the slaying of journalists (as well as human rights activists and those in business, banking, or politics who develop an enemy through a conflict) by contract killing has resulted in a compromised justice system in which the government does not seek those who act with impunity. Threats to media outlets and journalists allow the media agenda to be set at the discretion of the state.

The author concludes that a recessionary financial environment may lead to "a rise of societal activity and political pluralism" not seen since Putin took control of the state. "This would enable the media to regain political relevance and reassume the role of serving the public interest. But a darker scenario is far from ruled out: in seeking to pre-empt or suppress public protests and political turmoil, the government may opt for a further crackdown and isolationist, anti-Western policies."