The Journalist Profession in Post-Soviet Space Dr Greg Simons Department of Eurasian Studies

1. The Journalist Profession in Post-Soviet Space Dr Greg Simons Department of Eurasian Studies Uppsala University

2. Historical Context • The newspaper Vedomosti was established by Peter the Great in St Petersburg in 1702, which was used by the Tsar to announce state events and directives, and was firmly under the editorial control of Peter the Great. Used to relay new laws to the bureaucratic class. • Private media did exist during the imperial era, however the state media were the dominant form of mass media.

3. Historical Context • After the Bolshevik Revolution of November 7, 1917 – saw a continuation rather than a break in state-media relations. • Mass media subservient to the wishes of the state. • During the Soviet period mass media and journalists were used to agitate the masses. Used repetitive and simplistic messages.

4. Historical Context • Influenced the masses in order to: 1) provide positive or negative role models to copy or avoid; 2) achieve state objectives and priorities. • Mass media and journalists instrumental in the Gorbachev reform era. Journalists that exposed the excesses of the Soviet period gained popularity and even seats among the first elections immediately prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union.

5. New Chance? • The break-up of the Soviet Union and subsequent independence of Ukraine and the other Republics provided journalists and journalism to break with the past. • Lack of strong and centralised state, mass media and journalists free by default. • However, privileged position from Soviet times was lost – had to survive the new market economy.

6. New Chance? • Mass media and journalists still seen through the lens of being a means of influence, albeit in a different political and economic climate. • The inability through a lack of experience in the new conditions brought about the opportunity for a new master. This time based upon business class rather than the state.

7. New Priorities • New priorities fall into two broad categories: Political and Economic. • Mass media assets are accumulated by the business elite as a means to accumulate political capital. • Journalists and mass media also important politically at a time when political issues and identity of the nation still remain unresolved.

8. Pitfalls and Dangers • The profession of journalism has proved to be dangerous in Post-Soviet space due to the fluid nature of society and identity, and the assumed properties of journalism and mass media to resolve those problems. • Heavy use of censorship, such as the killing, beating and detention of journalists. Use of administrative resources, such as court system, tax authorities, health and fire services.

9. Pitfalls and Dangers • Journalism is a poor paying profession and opens journalists to be tempted to other professions (PR for example) or to accept payments for services. • The practice of zakazukha or jenza – the accepting of payment to run advertising or kompromat … etc as a genuine news story. • Further erosion in public trust of the profession.

10. Current Comparative Freedom Rankings • According to Reporters Without Borders in 2008 of 173 places: • Iceland and Norway rank 1st • New Zealand and Sweden rank 7th • United Kingdom is 23rd • United States is 36th • Ukraine is 87th • United States (extra-territorial) is 119th • Russia is 141st • Turkmenistan is 171st

11. Concluding Remarks • The notion of a Fourth Estate role of the mass media in Post-Soviet space is a poorly developed one. • Historically the mass media and journalists have been playing a subservient role to the state and its wishes. • The role of journalism is important due to the potential to shape the next generations values and attitudes. • However, a global trend towards infotainment threatens a potentially positive role.