Health & Fitness
Journalism in Russia
A look at the similarities and differences between Russian and American journalism.
I have read that Russia is one of the top countries where it is dangerous to be a journalist. To me, it is dangerous to be a journalist in any country. But I took this information to heart, and have been keeping it in the back of my mind while reporting here in St. Petersburg for SBU's “Journalism without Walls.”
Journalism in Russia is the same. Journalists report the facts. And report the truth, no matter what. My study abroad group had the chance to meet Anatoly Puyu, the Dean of St. Petersburg State University’s school of journalism. Puyu said although it is a tough job, journalism is one of the most competitive jobs for college graduates. And today, journalists are more free than ever in Russia. However, TV news is somewhat controlled by mysterious people. When we had a tour of the local St. Petersburg TV news station Channel 100, we were informed that they cannot discuss where they receive their money. “It is a secret,” one chief reporter said. But Andre Ershov, editor of the Kommersant newspaper, said TV news is a news outlet that accepts money from government or elite figures. But TV news still attempts to be objective.
Something I found interested was, according to Ershov, journalists do not share their opinions in op/ed or editorial sections of the newspaper. Where they have the most freedom is the Internet. Like America, the Internet has given a new voice to journalists. A place where they can express their opinions and views on matters. Although I always though journalists should not make their opinions on social and political views known, the case is different in Russia.
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We attended a blogger conference, where bloggers from St. Petersburg and Moscow were discussing the future of blogging. What if the government wants to censor them? Would censorship be a violation of freedom of expression? We are debating the same issue in America, right now. I found this very interesting. For a country that so controlled by the government, they are taking their rights fully to the heart and running with it. It was very inspiring.
Read more about journalism in Russia here.
