No to the censorship!

On Sunday, 16 April, in the center of Moscow on Pushkinskaya Square, about 4,000 citizens gathered in a rally against censorship in mass media and in support of freedom of speech. The protest was attended by well-known journalists, most of whom were dismissed from TV and major media outlets for their truthful reports and criticism against the authorities. (21-APR-06)

Text and photos: HRH/ Moscow, Yanina Savenko

The “Against censorship in mass media” rally was organized by the enterprising nonpolitical group “I’m Free”. Participants were holding Russian flags and posters with slogans “Censorship today – dictatorship tomorrow,” “Chanel 1, stop lying!” “Take Putin’s remote control away,” etc. The organizers asked the demonstrators to gather in protest against censorship and in support of free speech again on 12 June, the Russian Day of Independence.

State’s control over mass media
The action in central Moscow was related to the five-year takeover of the “NTV” channel, which was bought by a state-controlled company “GazProm.” As the participants said, the action was related to the “fifth anniversary of victory of television censorship.”  Human rights activists believe that the seizure of the “NTV” was organized by the Kremlin in order to stop criticism against the government. Later “GazProm” bought a newspaper “Izvestia,” the most authoritative and trustworthy newspaper in the country, extending its control over all printings. Soon after the election of Vladimir Putin in 2000 all major mass media, including all national TV-channels, became strictly controlled by the state. As a result, all critical materials disappeared and the government’s activities were only covered in a positive light.

If there is no freedom of speech there is no independent justice
“During the last five years it has become evident that authorities are capable of governing only on the condition of abolition of independent mass media and have been actively attacking it. State control over television hinders development of powerful opposition and independent justice. I hope that the Russian flag will once again become a symbol of a democratic country and not of the KGB’s general,” said Vladimir Shenderovich, a former broadcaster of a satirical program on the “NTV” channel.

We are deprived of right of choice – what to watch, to read, to listen
“In modern society there is practically no place where it is possible to talk freely about current developments in the country. Before there was serious competition between TV channels; it was a fight between clans, but you could choose,” said journalist Sergey Dorenko, who was dismissed from the “ORT” channel a few years ago. Olga Romanova, ex-broadcaster from the REN-TV channel, dismissed in November after her complaints about government censorship, believes that informational broadcasts on TV have become a mouthpiece for the government and now there is no objective information on television.

Only ex-broadcasters took part in the rally
Human rights activists agree that 4,000 demonstrators, gathered in the center of Moscow in the rally for defense of independent mass media, is a great success for the opposition, which shows an increasing tension in the society. On the other hand, current TV journalists did not take part in the rally. Are they satisfied with the current situation? Or would they join the opposition only after having lost their job? Five years ago 20,000 people gathered on Pushkinskaya Square. This time, the turnout was five times smaller.