Presentation Title

Why Russian Media is Considered "Not Free"

Panel Name

The Press: Freedom, Bias, Ethics I

Location

Lecture Center 21

Start Date

3-5-2019 3:15 PM

End Date

3-5-2019 4:15 PM

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Academic Major

Communication, History

Abstract

In the 21st century, the relationship between the Russian government and its media has grown increasingly contentious and has become a focus of international scrutiny. The Freedom House “Freedom in The World” report of 2019 lists Russia as a “not free” country, with a rating of 20 out of 100, putting them in the same company as Iran, with a rating of 18 out of 100 and Egypt at 22 out of 100. Academic studies examining the Russian media from the post-communist period onward generally conclude that Russian media has become increasingly more oppressive. Careful examination of books on post-communism media in Eastern Europe and books on various media systems beyond the Western world reveals that though new technologies have arisen, press repression has worsened. Websites tracking press freedom such as Freedom House, the Cato Institute, and the Committee to Protect Journalists all present conclusive data that Russia is among the least free countries and to be a reporter in Russia is perilous. This trend of declining press freedom in Russia is closely aligned with the political rise of President Vladimir Putin. This relationship can be examined through a history of post-communist Russia and three categories: Media censorship, silencing journalists, and unfair political elections. An examination of these three areas demonstrates a high level of direct interference by Putin, his administration, and his government policies, resulting in an increasingly restricted and unfree press.

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Course assignment/project

First Faculty Advisor

Professor Park

First Advisor Email

cpark2@albany.edu

First Advisor Department

Journalism

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Finished or mostly finished by conference date

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May 3rd, 3:15 PM May 3rd, 4:15 PM

Why Russian Media is Considered "Not Free"

Lecture Center 21

In the 21st century, the relationship between the Russian government and its media has grown increasingly contentious and has become a focus of international scrutiny. The Freedom House “Freedom in The World” report of 2019 lists Russia as a “not free” country, with a rating of 20 out of 100, putting them in the same company as Iran, with a rating of 18 out of 100 and Egypt at 22 out of 100. Academic studies examining the Russian media from the post-communist period onward generally conclude that Russian media has become increasingly more oppressive. Careful examination of books on post-communism media in Eastern Europe and books on various media systems beyond the Western world reveals that though new technologies have arisen, press repression has worsened. Websites tracking press freedom such as Freedom House, the Cato Institute, and the Committee to Protect Journalists all present conclusive data that Russia is among the least free countries and to be a reporter in Russia is perilous. This trend of declining press freedom in Russia is closely aligned with the political rise of President Vladimir Putin. This relationship can be examined through a history of post-communist Russia and three categories: Media censorship, silencing journalists, and unfair political elections. An examination of these three areas demonstrates a high level of direct interference by Putin, his administration, and his government policies, resulting in an increasingly restricted and unfree press.