Russian Media Independence
Yet another Journalist was murdered in Moscow at the weekend. Magazine editor Payl Peloyen was found dead on a city ring road with stab wounds to his chest. His passing adds to the incredible death toll among journalists – 15 have been murdered in the last two years, apparently after upsetting powerful corporate or political interests. The latest killing comes just 8 days after the murder of American citizen and journalist Paul Klebnikov, an outspoken critic of Russia’s super-rich. These events have put the spotlight on Russia’s diminishing media independence – in recent years, most TV networks have fallen under government control, and many newspapers slant their coverage in favour of the government of Vladimir Putin. So what’s the future of media diversity and democracy in Russia? Mark Robinson spoke to Professor Graeme Gill who is a specialist in Russian politics at Sydney University.