NEWS
/ HOW THE NEWS IS REPORTED IN RUSSIA, MARCH 2011
04.04.2011
How the News is Reported in Russia March 2011 by Andrei Nesterov
The two largest state-run television stations in Russia are First Channel and Russia Channel. Most Russians get their news from one of these two stations. SRAS's Andrei Nesterov compiled the following synopsis of how major events were covered by news reports on these two stations. This news review is part of SRAS's monthly "obzor" publications. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. If you would like to request that a story be covered here, inform our editor.
We are now providing weblinks to the related stories from the Russian broadcasters when available online! If no link is available, the material was covered in broadcasts, but not posted (or at least not found by us) online.
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March, Week 4
Reform of "Russia's Protectors"
Both of Russia's major TV stations aired stories about the reform of Russia's various institutions. Russia Channel focused on the "new" police service while First Channel focused on military reforms.
Russia channel reported that President Medvedev is personally overseeing the process of reconfirming Russia's top police officers to their posts by personally approving or rejecting the appointments. This reconfirmation is needed under the new raft of legislative reforms to the police (formerly known as "militsia"). The channel quoted the Russian President as saying that 44 police generals out of 179 were not reappointed. According to President Medvedev, the "current process of establishing the police in Russia means establishing a new law-enforcement institution which will meet all modern requirements."
Medevedev stated that he had introduced a bill on police benefits that would raise the monthly salary of a police officer to a minimum 40 thousand rubles (~$1,400 USD). Several hundred families of the policemen who died in Chechnya or fighting criminals, would be given government housing.
Meanwhile, First Channel reported that the Russian government is allocating substantial funds – 20 trillion rubles (~ $700 billion) until 2020 to rearm the military. First Channel reports that this will update 70% of Russia's weapons. Of particular emphasis in this program are anti-aircraft systems and strategic missiles, including missiles with nuclear warheads. In addition, thee new fighter plane, the T-50, is being produced and developed further for the Russian Air Force and new submarines are being developed. First Channel quoted Prime Minister Putin as saying that the funding for the current program of renovating military equipment and weapons had been increased threefold in comparison to the previously implemented program
First Channel expressed irony in its report on the beginning of the military operation in Libya by stating that “Western countries are protecting Libyan civilians by means of bombing.” First Channel also said that “the aggression of the leading countries of the world against the sovereign country” started with a “hastily adopted” resolution of the UN Security Council, and this resolution is in violation of international law. According to First Channel, the real purpose of the military operation in Libya is “overthrowing the legitimate government of an independent state.”
At the same time, First Channel stated that Libyan leader Gaddafi was responsible for “supporting nationalistic movements of a terrorist nature and giving provocative speeches at international forums,” which marginalized him on the political stage. However, the real reasons for the war could be Gaddafi’s termination of the agreement with France on purchasing French weapons, and his unwillingness to privatize the Libyan oil industry.
Russia Channel additionally stated that Russia had abstained from the UN Security Council vote for Resolution1973, the same one that First Channel had strongly criticized. The Russian Foreign Ministry was also quoted as having "regret about the military action" which was made on the basis of the "quite ambiguous" resolution.
US Vice President Joseph Biden expressed trust to Russia’s leaders
Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the prospects of abolishing Jackson–Vanik amendment were cited by First Channel as the themes of negotiations between US Vice President Joseph Biden and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during Biden’s visit to Russia.
According to First Channel, the US Vice President stated that he supports both Russia’s accession to the WTO and abolishing the amendment.
Also, First Channel quoted Joseph Biden as saying at the meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that the Putin’s offer to cancel visa’s between Russia and the USA is “a good idea.” Putin responded that this would give a new start to bilateral relations, First Channel stated.
Russia Channel quoted Joseph Biden as saying that he has always had a deep respect for Russia as a great power, and stating at the meeting with Moscow State University students that “Russia and the USA have no reasons mistrust each other.” The channel called the visit “turning the term “reset” of bilateral relations into some practical measures.”
Russia Channel called the speech made by President Medvedev at conference marking 150 years since the abolition of serfdom in Russia “one of the main events of the week,” adding that the President’s speech may directly affect the development of the political system in Russia.
Dmitry Medvedev called CzarAlexander II, who abolished the institution of serfdom in Russia, “a great reformer” who “liberated Russia from an unjust, archaic and inhuman order,” and drew a parallel with the current situation in Russia by saying that “today we are continuing to improve our democratic institutions, which are still very imperfect, trying to change our economy and to transform our political system” stating that “freedom cannot be postponed until later and we must not be afraid that a free individual may make inappropriate use of personal freedom.”
The national TV channels also reported about President Medvedev meeting the Mikhail Gorbachev as the former Soviet President celebrated his 80th birthday. Dmitry Medvedev gave Mikhail Gorbachev the highest national award – the Order of St Andrew the Apostle and stated that “this is a fitting assessment of the immense work that you did as head of state,” leading the country “through a very difficult and dramatic time in its history.” Meanwhile, Medvedev also said that “people may hold differing views on its results, but “whatever one thinks, this truly was a great and difficult labor.”
First Channel in its report on Gorbachev’s birthday provided only positive comments regarding Gorbachev, stating that the former leader of the Soviet Union changed world history, did much to help end the Cold War, destroy the “Iron Curtain” in Europe, and unite Germany.
First Channel also released a documentary called “He Came to Give Us Freedom” depicting Gorbachev from positive angle, as a person fostering freedom and democracy and changing the country for the better.
Meanwhile, Russia Channel stated in its report that the Russian people “cannot give unambiguous assessment to Gorbachev’s work (as the country leader), with 50 percent of the poll respondents supporting Gorbachev and another 50 percent opposing him.
