An Analysis of the Establishment of a Democratic Press in Russia

Introduction:

Following the dissolve of Communism in Russia, the country began heading toward a democracy previously unknown to most Russians. The media experienced its own freedoms away from the state’s firm hand. President Vladimir Putin, who began his first term in 2000 and began his second term in 2004, has taken on the public persona of promoting democracy for Russia’s citizens. The reality is not as simple. Television has only state-run stations operating in Russia, only one independent radio station remains, and newspaper and television journalists are fired or threatened for criticizing the government. In short, the Kremlin gives the air of freedom but is actually in control of the media. This paper analyzes the establishment of a democratic press in Russia from glasnost under Brezhnev in 1986 through the current presidency of Vladimir Putin to identify trends. 

The analysis is based on independence from state control in the journalistic areas of publishing, broadcasting, radio and the Internet. The modes of media are examined by their degree of independence from state control. In the context of a democratic press, the gatekeeper is perhaps most important. The gatekeeper, as editor or publisher, sifts through information, prioritizing and deciding what should be delivered to the public. Under the ideals of a democratic society the gatekeeper desires to support the public’s right to know. To serve the public, the gatekeeper should remain independent of outside influences from corporation or government. If the press is fulfilling a function other than that of serving the public, whether through propaganda or pushing the agendas of one specific body, then that press falls outside the ideal democratic model of communications.