One economist critical of the Kremlin, Mikhail Delyagin, was apparently given an appearance by mistake on a popular talk show. Before “The People Want to Know” program aired, Delyagin was digitally removed from the tape.I recall how the Soviets used to doctor photos to remove people from them. This looks a lot like the old Soviet mentality has returned to Russia. The above is a quote from the following news story about the absence of press freedom in Russia:The show’s host, Kira Proshutinskaya, said she was embarrassed over this and other incidents, and admitted that networks are constantly intimidated by the Kremlin.
“I would be lying if I said that it is easy to work these days,” she told the Times. “The leadership of the channels, because of their great fear of losing their jobs — they are very lucrative positions — they overdo everything.”
Press Freedom Absent in Russia
The Following is a news story about persecution of critical voices in Russia. This person was prosecuted for publishing an opinion to a BLOG!
Criminal Case Launched Against Russian Opposition Blogger
In Russia, Vladimir Putin has passed a law, article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, that allows the government censors to classify anyone's speech as "extreme". It can therefore be censored and the person prosecuted. Imagine the number of KGB agents necessary to monitor millions of blog posts all over the internet each day! They're serious about censorship and silencing those with a different perspective! The sentence is two years in prison! His crime? Criticizing the Federal Security Service!
Here is another article about the office of Russia's largest radio media conglomerate being raided. Check out the photo of the hooded soldiers that conducted the raid in the article below. Often, Russian authorities won't shut down media source entirely. Instead, they will harass them and accuse them of various activities, including tax evasion. If that doesn't work, they prosecute them and send them to prison. The intent, of course, is intimidation!
Russian Media Group Offices Searched, News Program Cut
