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29.04.2008 How the News is Reported in Russia April 2008 by Andrei Nesterov The two largest state-run television stations in Russia are First Channel and Russia Channel. Most Russians get their news from one of these two stations. SRAS's Andrei Nesterov compiled the following synopsis of how major events in the FSU were covered by news reports on these two stations. This news review is part of SRAS's monthly "obzor" publications. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. If you would like to request that a story for which occurring in May be covered here, inform our editor. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up.   Vladimir Putin "Historically" Agrees to Lead United Russia Vladimir Putin has accepted the leadership in the United Russia party at the party convention, and both major channels covered this with broadcasting positive comments of influential politicians about Putin's decision. "This is a major decision for the country," said Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov. Luzhkov said that it is very important that Putin remains in a position of national authority after leaving the presidential post. Deputy head of the United Russia Duma faction Vyacheslav Volodin went even further and said that the government which Vladimir Putin is to form "will be the most efficient in recent time." Volodin also pointed that newly elected president Dmitry Medvedev took an active part in United Russia's party formation and thus will work "in strong tandem" with future Prime Minister Putin. Dmitry Medvedev who also spoke at the United Russia convention, called Putin's decision "both logical and timely", and said that it will strengthen the United Russia party and improve the collaboration between federal executive and legislative authorities. The First Channel news anchor called Putin's decision "historical" since "it is changing the country's future."   Moscow Welcomes UN The Russian leaders used the 3-day visit of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Moscow as a chance to speak again on the importance of the UN and the need for multilateralism in global politics. Vladimir Putin at the meeting with Ban Ki-Moon called the UN "the only universal international organization" and "a key element in the entire international system." As Russian TV reported, the UN Secretary-General met Vladimir Putin, newly elected president Dmitry Medvedev, and Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II. In a Russia Channel interview, Ban Ki-Moon said that he is very grateful to Russia for its constant support of the UN. The Secretary-General added that a number of global issues had been discussed at the meeting with the Russian leaders – the situation in Kosovo, Afghanistan, the problems of Iraq and Iran and the problems with Georgia and the "unrecognized republic" of Abkhazia. In addition, Ban Ki-Moon said that he hoped that the new president of Russia will extend the support for the UN both politically and financially. Dmitry Medvedev at the meeting with the Secretary-General said that "all discussion of a UN crisis is groundless" and Russia "will continue to support the UN in all possible ways," but did not elaborate. Patriarch Alexy II also spoke to the UN Secretary-General about political issues. In particular, he said that he hopes the UN will "ensure the rights of the Orthodox residents of Kosovo" by "providing them access to Kosovo's places of worship" and "preventing acts of violence against the region's religious buildings."   NATO Summit a "Victory" for Russia In its coverage of the recent NATO summit in Bucharest, Russian TV stressed that Ukraine and Georgia had not been accepted to NATO at the summit and "the opinion of Russia had become an important argument for making final decisions." Russia's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, appeared on both channels saying that Ukraine and Georgia had "lost the summit." Russian TV broadcast a series of statements by Vladimir Putin who called the idea of NATO expansion towards Russia "a threat for the country's security." Putin said that Russia "will have to take measures to ensure its security" as a response. Russia Channel reported that a number of old NATO members such as France, Germany and Spain were against accepting Ukraine and Georgia, and summarized this as follows: "Old Europe is more favorable to the Russia's viewpoint, than to that of the US. Furthermore, Bush seems to be ready to accept this."   Space Shuttle Lands on "Ballistic Trajectory" Russian scientists are investigating the rough landing of space shuttle Soyuz TMA-11. As First Channel and Russia Channel reported on April 19, the capsule landed almost by 260 miles from its intended target "as a result of a ballistic landing trajectory." According to First Channel, it was a "hard land," and the international crew (NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korea's first astronaut, Yi So-Yeon) experienced G-forces well in excess of the usual. So far, the officials of the Russian Federal Space Agency have declined to name any potential causes of the problems incurred during the landing. Moreover, as First Channel stressed, the Russian Space Center called the landing mode "a regular one." No TV channel mentioned the terms "emergency" or "accident" in their coverage of the landing. However, First Channel mentioned that "the specialists of the Russian Space Center and the rescue services were under stress." First Channel reported that "ballistic landings" are rare. Such landings have occurred only twice in the history of the international space station – in May 2003 and in October 2007. In the latter case, the crew experienced G-forces 9 times above the norm.   The Death of Metropolitan Laurus Russian TV has reported on the death of Metropolitan Laurus, who led the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad for many years, with deep respect. Nearly all major Russian media emphasized that Metropolitan Laurus paved the way for the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church by signing the Act of Canonical Communion together with Patriarch Alexy II. The document ended the separation within the Russian Orthodox Church which existed since the Communist revolution of 1917 when many clergy left the country and, together with most already outside the country, refused to work with the Communist authorities that the Russian Orthodox Church would soon recognize as having authority. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II, was quoted as saying that "I think he added his name to the history of the Russian Orthodox Church." Both channels also reported that shortly after the Metropolitan Laurus' death, the Patriarch prayed in Moscow's Danilov Monastery that the soul of the departed metropolitan would find peace "in the Kingdom of Heaven." After the Act of Canonical Communion was signed, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia became the part of the Russian Orthodox Church in all matters of faith and religious practice, but will have the status of an autonomous structure in economic and administrative functions. Patriarch Alexy II has said that the re-unification of the church is symbolic of unifying the Russian people "who were disseminated in the years of revolution and civil war."   President Bush's Sochi Visit a Good-Natured Affair According to Russian TV, the last meeting of George Bush and Vladimir Putin as heads of state was held in very friendly atmosphere, despite disagreements on a number of issues. On the first day of the visit, President Bush was so joyful that he danced to the songs of Cuban Cossacks' choir, and Vladimir Putin praised him by saying that it was a great pity that the press did not see "what a good dancer you are." In turn, President Bush expressed his respect to Putin: "I respect the fact that you love your country. You've been a strong leader. You're not afraid to tell me what's on your mind. And when it's all said and done, we can shake hands." President Bush said that Russia is not an enemy any more, and expressed his support to Russia's joining the WTO and OECD. "It's time to move this relationship in a new light," summarized the US President. As for the disagreements, Vladimir Putin called the US plans for building an anti-missile defense system in Europe "the most difficult issue." Russia demands equal access to the system with the US. At the same time, Putin stressed that such disagreements on some issues did not influence the overall state of the US-Russian relations which are improving and moving forward. Study Journalism in Russia The Library: Politics in Russia SRAS Resources for Teachers   Find out more! SRAS Travel Services More Study Abroad Programs Internships in Russia Heath and Safety in Russia The SRAS Newsletter Journal for Students More Free Resources!    Questions or comments? Contact the editor. « back to News archive print this page email this page