Putin and the Media1991-2000

Oligarchs controlled major TV stations.

Critical of Putin’s policies (i.e., Chechnya)

Putin’s ResponseGusinsky: arrested for

corruptionNTV: now owned by

GazpromState-owned natural

gasBerezovsky: fled the

countryTV-6 was closed by

the government

Kremlin controls all major mediaElection Coverage:

Overwhelmingly Pro-Putin/United Russia

Trash oppositionNo chance to respond to charges on air.

Open Net Initiative

http://map.opennet.net/filtering-pol.html

Campaign Laws Hurt OppositionLow levels of campaign spending allowed

Can’t explicitly campaign until 1 month before election

Civil Society

Organizing outside of the state that allows for political or civil

participation.

2011 Duma ElectionsUnited Russia wins narrow majority.25,000-50,000 protest in unapproved rallies against the “party of swindlers and thieves.”Over 500 arrested.

Restricting Civil Society in Putin’s RussiaPutin’s reaction to protests:

New law heavily fines illegal protestors more than the equivalent of the average Russian’s annual salary.

Police raided homes of opposition leaders and arrested them.

Kasparov: 60 Minutes1. Describe the obstacles for political opposition.

2. Describe the reasons Putin was so popular in 2007.

3. How important is a liberal democracy to Russians?

4. What other issues are more important for them?

Restricting Civil SocietyRestriction of group activities (especially if group

is critical of government).Religious and Political

Tough registration laws.Harassment from police and local officials.NGO Laws 2006 &2012

Massive amounts of red tape (bureaucratic hurdles) make it easy for government to restrict/regulate/fine NGOs.

Total disclosure of funds from outside of Russia.

Pussy RiotFemale Punk Rock Band2012: demonstrated at an

Orthodox Cathedral in Moscow.

Performed a song that beseeched the Virgin Mary to “rid us of Putin.”

Two of the arrested were sentenced to 2 years in prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.

Nashi Youth GroupLoyal, patriotic Putin supportersVarious activities

Marches, demonstrations, summer campsReceive government grants & donations from

state-run businesses

Photos courtesy of “BBC News.”