Media freedom in Russia
In 2013, the Russian government ranked 164 out of 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders. The Constitution of Russia states Article 29 that freedom of mass media shall be guaranteed and censorship shall be prohibited. Yet authorities possess significant discretion to suppress any speech lacking official support due to ambiguous extremism laws. Vladimir Putin commented in a 2006 interview with NBC TV channel that there are more than 3,500 television and radio companies in Russia. He claimed state participation is decreasing with every passing year. However, the ombudsman for human rights reported in 2006 that claims declaring freedom of speech non-existent would be an exaggeration. This view contradicts reports from Human Rights Watch which stated the government exerts control through selective implementation of law. Journalists and publishers seldom appeal to the commissioner because they know barriers exist despite constitutional text. Disguised restrictions take form as economic pressure on mass media by authorities and loyal business. Self-censorship induces journalists to refrain from disseminating information which may not please the authorities. In many places, the right to praise the authorities is ensured while criticism remains silenced.
On the 7th of October 2006, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot in the lobby of her apartment building in Moscow. She was known for her criticisms of Russia's actions in Chechnya and the pro-Russia Chechen government. Her death triggered an outcry of criticism of Russia in Western media. International monitors spoke of several dozen deaths while some sources within Russia talked of over two hundred fatalities. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, since 1992, 50 journalists have been murdered for their professional activity in Russia. This made it the third deadliest country for journalists in the 1992, 2006 period. Remembrance Day of Journalists Killed in the Line of Duty in Russia is observed on the 15th of December every year. In August 2008, Magomed Yevloyev, editor of Ingushetia.org, a vocal critic of the region's administration, was murdered. On the 30th of July 2018, Orkhan Dzhemal was killed along with film director Alexander Rastorguev and cameraman Kirill Radchenko in the Central African Republic. They were filming a documentary about activities of illegal Russian military formations. Amnesty International reported in 2009 that human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers who spoke openly faced threats and intimidation. The police appeared reluctant to investigate such threats. A climate of impunity for attacks on civil society activists prevailed.
As of 2013, three main federal channels are controlled by the government: Channel One, Russia TV, and NTV. Russia TV covers 98.5% of the country's territory and is state-owned. Channel One covers 98.8% of Russia's territory and has shared state and private ownership. Most private shareholders include National Media Group controlled by structures of Yuri Kovalchuk and Vladimir Putin's personal friend. NTV covers 84% of national territory but is owned by Gazprom, which the state controls. Over 5 years between 2011 and 2016, the government forced changes of ownership in over 12 significant newsrooms with all-country reach. All but one of the national TV channels are fully or partially owned by the state. In 2000, 2001, major shareholders Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinsky sold their stocks to the government and Gazprom. TV6, a media outlet owned by Berezovsky, was closed in 2002 using a legal loophole. On the 29th of January 2014, largest Russian TV providers disconnected TV Rain channel after key politicians expressed discontent. The survey asked if Leningrad should have been surrendered to invading Nazi army to save lives. Top state television channels frequently apply self-censorship avoiding controversial topics that might impact public image of authorities. Massive truck drivers protests across the country were never even mentioned on First Channel despite wide coverage elsewhere.
Russia's System of Operational-Investigatory Measures requires telecommunications operators to install hardware provided by Federal Security Service. It allows agency to unilaterally monitor users' communications metadata and content including phone calls, email traffic and web browsing activity. Metadata can be obtained without a warrant. In 2014, system expanded to include social media platforms. Ministry of Communications ordered companies to install new equipment with deep packet inspection capability. In 2015, European Court for Human Rights found Russia's SORM surveillance legislation and practice in violation of European Convention on Human Rights. During 2014 annexation of Crimea, Roskomnadzor blocked websites criticizing Russian policy in Ukraine including pages of Alexei Navalny and Garri Kasparov. Since August 2014, law requires operators of free Wi-Fi hotspots to collect personal details of all users and identify them using passports. Yarovaya law from 2016 requires telecom operators to store recordings of phone conversations, text messages and internet traffic for up to 6 months. This data is available to authorities on request and without court order. On the 5th of April 2013, it was confirmed that Wikipedia had been blacklisted over article 'Cannabis Smoking' on Russian Wikipedia.
Prosecutors in Russia charge individuals including journalists, bloggers and whistle-blowers with trumped-up criminal offenses including defamation and extremism. In three-year court case beginning in 2008, Chernovik editor-in-chief Nadira Isayeva and several reporters were prosecuted on charges of inciting hatred toward law enforcement officials following criticism of Federal Security Service counterinsurgency tactics. Isayeva was ultimately acquitted but described case as test for institution of press freedom. In November 2013, Rostov-na-Donu investigative journalist Sergey Reznik sentenced to 1.5 years in jail on various charges including insult to governmental official. On the 22nd of March 2022, television journalist Alexander Nevzorov charged under false information law after publishing information that Russian forces shelled maternity hospital in Mariupol. In February 2023, journalist Maria Ponomarenko sentenced to six years in prison for publishing information about Mariupol theatre airstrike. In June 2023, Ilya Krasilshchik former publisher of Meduza sentenced in absentia to 8 years in prison for spreading false information about Russian military. On the 4th of October 2023, Marina Ovsyannikova sentenced in absentia to 8.5 years jail term for spreading false information about Russian army.
On the 25th of November 2017, Putin signed into law new measures allowing authorities to list foreign media outlets as foreign agents. Law allows Moscow to force foreign media to brand their own news provided to Russians as work of foreign agents. Law started enforced on large scale in 2020 and 2021 when number of media outlets received orders to include large foreign agent statement at beginning of publications. In February 2011, Guardian journalist Luke Harding from Britain refused entry into Russia contrary to OCSE regulations. He became first foreign journalist expelled since end of Cold War. Some linked expulsion with unflattering coverage including speculation about Vladimir Putin's wealth. In July 2014, Ukrainian journalist Yevgeniy Agarkov arrested in Voronezh while reporting on trial of Ukrainian prisoner of war. He charged with missing proper accreditation and convicted, deported and banned for five years. In 2015, Australian journalist Helen Womack denied accreditation after listing on nationalist-operated list of enemies of Russia website and forced to leave country. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich detained in Russia on the 29th of March 2023 by FSB on charges of espionage. He is first American journalist detained since Cold War.
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Common questions
What was Russia's ranking in the 2013 Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders?
Russia ranked 164 out of 180 countries in the 2013 Press Freedom Index. This low score reflects significant government discretion to suppress speech lacking official support despite constitutional guarantees.
Who is Anna Politkovskaya and when did she die?
Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist known for criticizing Russia's actions in Chechnya who was shot dead on the 7th of October 2006. Her death occurred in the lobby of her apartment building in Moscow and triggered international outcry regarding media safety.
Which three main federal channels are controlled by the Russian government as of 2013?
Channel One, Russia TV, and NTV constitute the three main federal channels controlled by the government as of 2013. All but one national TV channel are fully or partially owned by state entities such as Gazprom or structures linked to Vladimir Putin.
When was Wikipedia blacklisted over an article about Cannabis Smoking in Russia?
Wikipedia was confirmed to be blacklisted on the 5th of April 2013 following an article titled Cannabis Smoking on the Russian Wikipedia site. The blockage represents part of broader efforts to restrict access to information deemed critical of state policy.
What sentence did Marina Ovsyannova receive for spreading false information about the Russian army?
Marina Ovsyannikova received an 8.5-year jail term sentenced in absentia on the 4th of October 2023 for spreading false information about the Russian army. This case exemplifies the use of criminal charges against journalists publishing content critical of military actions.