News, Media and Political Power in Russia (Basees Routledge Series on Russian and East European Studies)

The end of communist rule in the Soviet Union brought with it a brave new world of media and commerce. Formerly state-owned enterprises were transformed, often through private ownership, and new corporations sprung up overnight to take advantage of the new atmosphere of freedom. Until now, most research on media and news production in Russia has focused on the scope of government control and comparisons with the communist era. However, extra-governmental controls and the challenges of operating in a newly capitalist environment have been just as important – if not more so – in the formation of the new media climate. Filling the gap in the literature, this book examines the various agents who ‘make’ the news, and discusses the fierce struggle among the various agents of power involved. Drawing on existing theories and scholarship, the book provides a wealth of detail on the actual daily practices of news production in Russia. Original research is combined with compelling first-hand accounts of news production and dissemination to provide an incisive look at the issues and power structures Russian journalists face on a daily basis. Until Now, Most Research On Media And News Production In Russia Has Focused On The Scope Of Government Control And Comparisons With The Communist Era. However, Extra-governmental Controls And The Challenges Of Operating In A Newly Capitalist Environment Have Been Just As Important - If Not More Important - In The Formation Of The New Media Climate. News Media And Power In Russia Fills This Gap, Examining The Various Agents Who Make The News, And Discussing The Fierce Struggle Among The Various Agents Of Power Involved, Including News Producers Themselves. Drawing On Existing Theories And Scholarship, The Book Provides A Wealth Of Detail On The Actual Daily Practices Of News Production In Russia, Arguing That Power Relations In Newsmaking Are Not Just External Intrusions Into The Pure Process Of The Reflection Of Reality, But That The Interaction Of Variously Motivated Agents Is An Intrinsic Part Of The News Production Process. Original Research Is Combined With Compelling First-hand Accounts Of News Production And Dissemination To Provide An Incisive Look At The Issues And Power Structures Russian Journalists Face On A Daily Basis.--jacket. Catching The Wind : Theoretical Approach To The Study -- Russian Media System : Historical Background -- State Agents -- State And Non-state Agents Of Violence -- Owners -- Advertisers -- Sources Of Information -- Rank-and-file Journalists -- Center And Periphery Of Power : Media Top Managers As Power Mediators -- Regional Media Landscapes : Diversity Of Power Configurations -- The Story Of Peterburg--5 Kanal -- The Story Of Ntv -- Change In The Coverage Of The Chechen Wars. Olessia Koltsova. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [252]-264) And Index. Catching the wind : theoretical approach to the study Russian media system : historical background State agents State and non-state agents of power Owners Advertisers Sources of information Rank-and-file journalists Center and periphery of power : from media executives to audiences Regional media landscapes : diversity of power configurations The story of Peterburg 5 Kanal The story of NTV Change in the coverage of the Chechen wars. Annotation This book explores 'news production' in Russia, examining the various agents who 'make' the news, and discussing the fierce struggle among the various agents of power involved, including news producers themselves