2008 Woodie Awards
Putin's media consolidation continues to impact domestic politics
Jessie Lowry
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: OpEd Page
Mikhail Gorbachev's emergence in 1985 and his introduction of glasnost (the Russian word for "openness") set the stage for the future of Russian media. As Russians watched the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, the ideals of democracy triumphed over communism. Industries became privatized, press and speech were no longer inhibited by Soviet law and journalists began to dive into the media convergence pool. The media encountered oligarchic control during the President Boris Yeltsin era. However, it was the rise of President Vladimir Putin in 2000 that would drastically change the media industry. Eight years later and at the end of his presidential term, Putin's tight reins over the media enabled Dmitry Medvedev to become Russia's newly elected Kremlin protégée.
During Putin's presidency, the media transitioned from a privatized business into a nationalized industry. The former reforms under Gorbachev were ignored and the Kremlin molded the media to push its political agenda, alarming the international community. Putin immediately found himself as the instigator of the "media wars." The "media wars" involved Putin's struggle against the oligarchs, the formerly privatized media industries and the journalists.
His first battle in the "media wars" resulted in the elimination of friendly ties with the oligarchs. Immediately stepping into office, Putin began attacking oligarchs that did not offer political support. Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinksky are two internationalized examples illustrating Putin's initial punches to sever oligarchic relationships. Berezovsky, former ally of Yeltsin made his first millions as a "middleman" selling cars from state auto manufacturer, Autovaz. In 1996, Berezovsky led prominent Russian oligarchs to back Yeltin's reelection. Acquiring ownership of ORT TV channel, one of the state's largest and influential television stations, Berezovsky became a leading advocate of economic and political liberalization in Russia. As a result of his outspoken stance, Berezvosky became Putin's first target.
During Putin's presidency, the media transitioned from a privatized business into a nationalized industry. The former reforms under Gorbachev were ignored and the Kremlin molded the media to push its political agenda, alarming the international community. Putin immediately found himself as the instigator of the "media wars." The "media wars" involved Putin's struggle against the oligarchs, the formerly privatized media industries and the journalists.
His first battle in the "media wars" resulted in the elimination of friendly ties with the oligarchs. Immediately stepping into office, Putin began attacking oligarchs that did not offer political support. Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinksky are two internationalized examples illustrating Putin's initial punches to sever oligarchic relationships. Berezovsky, former ally of Yeltsin made his first millions as a "middleman" selling cars from state auto manufacturer, Autovaz. In 1996, Berezovsky led prominent Russian oligarchs to back Yeltin's reelection. Acquiring ownership of ORT TV channel, one of the state's largest and influential television stations, Berezovsky became a leading advocate of economic and political liberalization in Russia. As a result of his outspoken stance, Berezvosky became Putin's first target.
Be the first to comment on this story