From Vladimir Putin On Down Russian Officials Have Been Assuring the World Newspaper Congress There Is Plenty of Freedom of the Press In Russia. It’s Just That It Is Press Freedom Russian Style

Philip M. Stone in Moscow June 6, 2006

Within the confines of the Kremlin itself, in front of some 1700 editors and publishers from 110 countries Vladimir Putin sat motionless as he was told there was "widespread skepticism, both inside and outside your country, about whether there exists any real willingness to see the media become a financially-strong, influential and independent participant in Russian society today."

Strong stuff, especially since the Russian Federation has launched a charm offensive this week to convince the world’s media that has descended on Moscow for the World Association of Newspapers annual meeting that top officials all strongly believe in press freedom. The words sound right but the actions don’t match.

WAN’s President, Gavin O'Reilly really gave Putin chapter and verse on what is wrong with Russian press freedom today in a very public forum right on Putin’s doorstep. The complaints range from strict self-censorship to the fact that much of the national media has one way or another come basically under Kremlin control.

“I must tell you honestly that many of our members questioned the choice of Russia as the location for our 2006 world press summit and, indeed, have done so right up to the last minute.” O’Reilly told Putin. “As I am sure you are aware, your country and your administration have been severely criticized internationally for an alleged unwillingness to forego control and influence over the media.”

And then O’Reilly, quoting Arthur Miller that a ‘great newspaper is a country speaking to itself” posed a list of questions to Putin:

“• How does the Russian media - echoed by right-minded journalists in the rest of the world - question, comment on and yes, at times, legitimately criticize the State?

• Or in a throw back to a different era - why is it that the State is still accused of promoting an atmosphere of caution and self-censorship among journalists, fearful for their livelihoods if they step very visibly out of line?

• Or with the absence of independent national television - all of which is now under direct or indirect government control - how can it be argued that objective commentary and analysis is not sorely jeopardized?

• And at a time when the State is criticized - we believe with good reason - about the acquisition of important newspaper titles by financial and industrial groups that are either directly controlled by Government or loyal to it, how does one counter the suggestion that oligarchic control has simply been replaced by State control?

• Or that at the same time as this State domination of key national media outlets, is it acceptable that there is a similar process of news control at regional and local levels, led by mayors, governors and strong business groups?”

Now by this time Putin had started to scribble some notes onto his already prepared speech that would respond to O’Reilly. But still he remained basically expressionless.

O’Reilly summed up. “One of our several counter arguments to these opponents (of WAN having its meeting in Moscow) was that we might finally have an opportunity, in coming here to appeal to you personally to take vital new measures, to personally create the right tone, if you like, to help your great and fine country develop the strong press that it merits and which can only add to the prestige and influence of Russia on the world stage.

Our belief is that history will judge your legacy as President, whether in Russia or in the rest of the world, as much by the fate of the media - perhaps more - than by any other measure.”

And then it was Putin’s turn. And his prepared speech basically said, “Hey, everything is basically ok here. “Our people have chosen democracy,” he reminded his audience. “I would like once again to underline the not only special but irreplaceable role of the written word in the making of the new Russia” he said.

But he acknowledged that it was still “an emerging market of mass media.” He said one problem is that people outside Russia simply do not understand the great change that has occurred in the country since the end of the Soviet era.He reminded everyone they were actually meeting in the Palace of Congress within the Kremlin laws where the old Soviet Union passed many of the press laws that seriously inhibited a free press during Soviet times.” “I don’t think there are any more Bolsheviks here today,” he opined.

He may have been talking of Soviet ghosts or of two protesters standing amid television cameras who, when Putin entered onto the stage, unfurled a red-and-white flag with a hammer and sickle on it and yelled out, "Putin is the executioner of freedom!"  They were thought to be members of the National Bolshevik Party.

Well, they had their moment of free speech but the manner in which security agents bundled them out of the hall made clear hat they were not too impressed with such free speech. It was the only time that Putin, by now sitting at a table on stage, really smiled and seemed to crack a joke with O’Reilly sitting next to him.

It’s curious how those protesters actually got into the Hall. For WAN delegates to get in they had to show passports and IDs at two different times and it was more than a cursory check. Indeed security surrounding the entire WAN conference has been tight. Since they standing in the area the press were gathered, it’s possible they may have had press credentials?

At the end of the day, Putin did not answer O’Reilly’s questions, but the fact those questions got asked at such a gathering inside the Kremlin speaks well for WAN’s efforts and indeed may have made Moscow a worthwhile place for this year’s meeting.

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