Russian Mass Media and Changing Values [Hardcover]

This book provides a multi-faceted picture of the many complex processes taking place in the field of contemporary Russian media and popular culture. Russian social and cultural life today is strongly individualised and consumers are offered innumerable alternatives; but at the same time options are limited by the new technologies of control which are a key feature of Russian capitalism. Based on extensive original research by scholars in both Russia itself and in Finland, the book discusses new developments in the media industry and assesses a wide range of social and cultural changes, many of which are related to, and to an extent generated by, the media.

The book argues that the Russian mass media industry, whilst facing the challenges of globalization, serves several purposes including making a profit, reinforcing patriotic discourse and popularizing liberalized lifestyles. Topics include changing social identities, new lifestyles, ideas of glamour and professional values . Overall, the book demonstrates that the media in Russia is far from homogenous, and that, as in the West, despite new technologies of control, media audiences are being offered a new kind of pluralism which is profoundly influencing Russia's cultural, social and political landscape.

Introduction - Arja Rosenholm, Kaarle Nordenstreng and Elena Trubina  Part I: Mapping the Media Landscape 1. Contemporary Structure of the Russian Media Industry - Elena Vartanov and Sergei Smirnov  2. Changing Media Use in Russia - Jukka Pietil?inen, Irina Fomicheva and Ludmila Resnianskaia  3. A New Generation of Journalists - Svetlana Pasti  Part II: Biopolitics of the Media  4. We Must All Give Birth: Thats an Order: The Russian Mass Media Commenting on V.V. Putins Address - Arja Rosenholm and Irina Savkina  l#"