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Pravda
Returns; In its crackdown on media outlets after the October 3-4 disturbances in Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Press and Information banned a number of publications outright and informed two other newspapers—Pravda and Sovetskaia Rossiia—that they could resume publication if they would replace their editors-in-chief, re-register as new publications, change their names and logos, and re-orient their political content. Sovetskaia Rossiia has rejected these demands. On November 10, First Deputy Press and Information Minister David Tsabria announced that the Ministry, which he also serves as chief of the legal department, has initiated court action against Sovetskaia Rossiia and against the newspaper Den, seeking their permanent closure. At the same time, Tsabria also disclosed that no court proceedings will be sought in the summary shutdown of some ten newspapers which the Ministry describes as “fascist.” Instead, he said, those publications have been closed down as the result of a duty imposed by international law. It is unclear why the Ministry has not placed Den in the category of “fascist” publication since the government has consistently used that label in referring to it. Pravda, meanwhile, arrived at something resembling a plea bargain with the Ministry and resumed publication and distribution on November 2nd. Under the compromise agreement, Pravda dismissed editor-in-chief Gennadi Seleznev, but retained its name and logo. The newspaper credited its return to “thousands of letters and calls which bombarded the Ministry of Press and Information.” In its November 2nd issue, Pravda left no doubt that it has not changed its editorial policies or ideological direction, proclaiming in a front-page editorial: “We remain faithful to the best traditions of Pravda, which, as before, is a paper of the left-wing forces and defender of socialist values.” The front page carried photographs of troops beating up Yeltsin opponents and a young girl mourning the casualties of the October 3-4 violence. As new editor-in-chief, the Pravda staff elected 49-year-old former deputy editor Viktor Linnik, whose primary responsibility was the reporting of foreign affairs. A graduate of Moscow State University, Linnik worked for several years at the U.S. and Canada Institute. He has worked with Pravda since 1980 and reportedly served as a correspondent in Washington and New York. According to a report by John Kampfner in The Daily Telegraph, Pravda’s reappearance should provide a boost to opposition forces in the December 12th elections. His report quotes Pravda’s deputy editor, Alexander Ilin, as saying that “We will continue to oppose the government and to represent those who have suffered under economic shock therapy.” As part of this policy, the November 2nd issue urged readers to participate in the elections, even though “it is clear that it is immoral to call the upcoming elections legitimate and constitutional.” Peter Krug |
Last Updated: 11/20/99 |
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© 1999 Post-Soviet Media Law &
Policy Newsletter |
