When was Izvestia founded?
Izvestia was founded in February 1917, during the same month as the first Russian Revolution. It launched as a publication of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
Questions about Izvestia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the name Izvestia mean in Russian?
Izvestiya in Russian means tidings or herald, derived from the verb izveshchat, meaning to inform or to notify. The name refers to the act of bringing news.
What was Izvestia's role in the Soviet Union?
Izvestia served as the official organ of the Soviet government, specifically the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. While Pravda was the Communist Party's mouthpiece, Izvestia expressed the official views of the Soviet state and focused on foreign relations.
Who was Raf Shakirov and why was he forced to resign from Izvestia?
Raf Shakirov was the editor-in-chief of Izvestia. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, he was forced to resign because government officials were angered by the paper's coverage of the Beslan school hostage crisis, including the publication of explicit photographs of the massacre.
When did Gazprom buy Izvestia?
State-owned Gazprom purchased a controlling stake in Izvestia on the 3rd of June 2005 and included it in the Gazprom Media holding. Gazprom Media later sold Izvestia to National Media Group in 2008.
What was Izvestia's circulation in 2007?
Izvestia's 2007 circulation, certified by TNS Gallup Media, was 371,000 copies. As of 2005, circulation had stood at 240,967.
Why did the European Union sanction Izvestia in 2024?
In May 2024, the European Union placed Izvestia on its sanctions list after accusing the newspaper of spreading propaganda. The designation grouped it with other Russian media outlets the EU held responsible for information operations tied to the Russian government.