Russia’s Muzzled Media: Confronting Economic Crisis in the Age of Authoritarianism

Owen Graham / May 05, 2009

On Thursday, April 30, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty held an event “Muzzled Media: Coverage in Russia of the Financial Crisis.” The panel focused on the freedom of the media in Russia during the financial crisis.

According to Kommersant Washington Bureau Chief Dmitry Sidorov, “the media in Russia is free only when the Kremlin allows it to be free.” Sidorov pointed out that the radio station “Echo of Moscow,” which is often considered a beacon of free speech and democracy, is only given limited autonomy to counter the argument that there is no media freedom in Russia. (more…)