Russia's Liberal Media Handcuffed but Free [Hardcover]

This book examines the challenges and pressures liberal journalists face in Putin's Russia. It presents the findings of an in-depth qualitative study, which included ethnographic observations of editorial meetings during the conflict in Ukraine. It also provides a theoretical framework for evaluating the Russian media system and a historical overview of the development of liberal media in the country. The book focuses on some of Russias most influential liberal national news outlets: the deadliest newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Russias last independent radio station Radio Echo of Moscow (Ekho Moskvy) and US Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.The fieldwork included ethnographic observations of editorial meetings, long interviews with editors and journalists as well as documentary analysis. The monograph makes theoretical contributions to three main areas: 1. Media systems and terms of reference. 2. Journalism: cultures, role conceptions, and relationship with power, culture and society. 3. Mediatisation of conflict and nationhood.

Introduction

1. The Mass Media in Putins Russia

2. Conceptualizing Russian Media and Journalism: A Theoretical Framework

3. Russias Deadliest Newspaper: The History of Novaya Gazeta

4. Novaya GazetaToday: Practices, Challenges and Role Perceptions

5. Russias Last Independent Radio : The History of Radio Ekho Moskvy

6. Radio Ekho MoskvyToday: Challenges, Practices and Role Perceptions

7. From Behind the Iron Curtain: Brief History of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

8. Radio Free Europe/Radio LibertyToday: Challenges, Practices and Role Perceptions

Conclusion: Handcuffed but Free: Russias Liberal Media

Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova is a Senior Lecturer in Communications and Media l£,