Russia Tightens Oppressive Policies

[Admin]

In a political move aimed squarely at eliminating the influential NGO's which helped fuel the pro-democracy demonstrations in Ukraine, Georgia and elsewhere - Putin's government passed the first stage of legislation to make it illegal for these groups to operate in Russia.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/23/russia.ngos.ap/index.html

Russia's re-trenchment cannot be seen as a positive move to any of her neighbors.

- Dan

[TwoBitBandit]

This is practically a guarantee that MOB will be thriving in Russia for a long time to come...

[BC]

Seems this restrictive policy is to protect their internal political interests being 'bought out' by political organizations outside the country.

Sort of like when we limit the source and amount of funds that can be contributed to political parties.

'puppet politicians' sponsored by special interest groups abound in the western world... Maybe they are trying to avoid this pitfall.  In an environment where corruption is difficult to control cutting strings at the top is not a bad idea.

Why not?

[Admin]

Seems this restrictive policy is to protect their internal political interests being 'bought out' by political organizations outside the country.

Sort of like when we limit the source and amount of funds that can be contributed to political parties.

'puppet politicians' sponsored by special interest groups abound in the western world... Maybe they are trying to avoid this pitfall. In an environment where corruption is difficult to control cutting strings at the top is not a bad idea.

Why not?

Admittedly there is a very fine line between appropriate protections against external intrusions - and regression towards repressionist policies of old.

I suppose this latest move - which follows numerous limitations on freedoms of the press - signals an even stronger Putin position on limiting personal freedoms and stifling the furtherance of democratic principles.

As one who has long-held that 'forced democratization' is a very bad idea - I firmly believe the democratic principle of the populace determining direction of their government is key to political and economic stability.

Of the stifling policies Putin has enacted, I worry far more about the LACK of freedom of the press. As much as I hate sensationalist journalism, I fail to see how ANY country can thrive without a free and open press. In fact, when you talk about a country rife with corruption, you almost certainly are talking about a country with very limited press freedoms. They go hand-in-glove.

FWIW

- Dan

[Bruno]

This is practically a guarantee that MOB will be thriving in Russia for a long time to come...

Not sure... what will be the next step... Rebuild the wall ? New "education" camp in Siberia ? Stop of international relation ?

Now, all is possible in russia... maybe Poutin will create some tax for the "export" of RW :?...

When a man fear to loose his power, he can become dangerous... never forget that he have some experience from the KGB...

Curious to see the result of the next presidential election in Russia... maybe 120%  vote for Putin.

If no more NGO are able to control, he can stop each rebelion mouvement in a blood bad...

And what about the NGO who make control over nuclear weapons... :?

[BC]

Dan,

Freedom of the press is pretty much a mute point nowdays.. either you believe the BS or you don't.

England also can legally restrict certain press coverage or? Nobody seems to object there.

I think it should now be called "Freedom of Access to the Press"

Now if RU decided to shut down all outside access to the internet for their citizens I would highly object..  I bet they would too.. overnight.

Overall I think RU has learned a lot from their past and won't make the same kind of mistakes.

[Admin]

Dan,

Freedom of the press is pretty much a mute point nowdays.. either you believe the BS or you don't.

England also can legally restrict certain press coverage or? Nobody seems to object there.

I think it should now be called "Freedom of Access to the Press"

Now if RU decided to shut down all outside access to the internet for their citizens I would highly object.. I bet they would too.. overnight.

Overall I think RU has learned a lot from their past and won't make the same kind of mistakes.

Re: Press Freedoms. You are right, there is definitely a chasm between the credible press and the incredible. Admittedly hard to distinguish sometimes - but the difference between the Washington Post and the National Enquirer is usually pretty easy to discern. Now when you throw the San Francisco Chronicle in the mix, things do get a bit muddier.

Actually, I think that merely having laws expressly allowing Press Freedoms are sufficient to create an environment in which corruption has a more difficult time thriving.

You are right about the erosions of freedom in Britain - and it extends to the US as well.

Until the masses become sufficiently alarmed (usually the result of being somehow painfully touched), erosions will likely continue. It will take a long time - which may be considered good (it takes that much time for the masses to be harmed), or bad (takes the masses so much time to notice  and act on what is rampant around them). In any case, as populations increase, some additional control measures by the authorities are predictable. As they continue to intrude on personal freedoms, we risk the destruction of the very tenets our country was founded. It is a dangerous balance - and one I fear is not being successfully navigated at the moment.

Again - FWIW

- Dan

[BC]

I guess it boils down to this:

The press has achieved a position of power in this world that can (and does) manipulate public perception. To an extent this has always been the case, but common ownership of  many previously independent news sources wields great power these days - to those who can afford it. How your local newspaper expresses facts is 'guided' by few in far away places..  

It's good ol' propaganda - western style.

The press has become something that maybe should be put on a tighter leash and has managed to remain virtually unnoticed by antitrust regulators.. Maybe it is time to bust them up.

Lets not confuse limiting 'freedom of the press' with 'free  speech'.  Two different worlds, the latter of which Putin will never touch.

BTW during my recent trip to the US I was apalled by the political advertisements being shown on TV.. It's all about who can bash better and who can afford to hire the best advertising/PR firm, not to mention which station will 'allow' them good airtime slots.

I think next time I'll vote for that little guy on the soapbox instead.

[Jet]

Actually, I think that merely having laws expressly allowing Press Freedoms are sufficient to create an environment in which corruption has a more difficult time thriving.

 

The problem in Russia at present is that somebody WILL control the press and use it to further their own agendas. Either it will be Putin or the oligarchy. Whoever controls the press, safeguards their own corrupt practices while making corruption more difficult for the other to continue unchecked.

You can see a bit of this here in the states as well with the free press. Often times it's not the items theat ARE reported that are so alarming, it is those items that, by someone's express bais, go unreported. This goes from the international level right down to the local news. If your "variety of sources" are collaborative, you are not really any better off than when you gat your news from a single state sponsored source IMO.

[RacerX]

I actually prefer a more pragmatic analysis of Mr. Putin's moves and motivations - simply condensed as: "follow the money."  Now, it's possible this former KGB agent has altruism in mind and is simply protecting the public, but more likely it's his personal pissing contest with the oligarchs that is the root cause of this oppression.  Many have termed it the "battle of the Vladimirs" in that Vladmir Gusinsky's publishing and media empire (for example, he owns NTV and the influential magazine, Novaya Gazeta, amongst others) have come under relentless assault by the Putin forces. It is indeed unfortunate that the ultimate loosers in this political tussle will not be the oligarchic structure but the Russian public itself.

[andrewfi]

As I understand things in Russia, the print media are pretty much free, apart from the normal meddling that occurs in all countries, including the US. Enshrined in law are protections for journalists that a few US journalists would be happy to have been able to rely upon of late.

The greatest issue for the print media is the same as in other countries, the ownership of the outlets tend to impose their views upon editorial policy. The diference in Russia is that those owners are heavily politicised and also engaged in a war with the government. The reality is that Russia has a thriving and independent print media althoug a large part of it is small in scale and reach and certainly not seen by outsiders who rely upon Moscow based publications for all their Russian reading.

The broadcast media are subject to more control, but then again, is it hard to see the parallels between the REALITY of American media control and the situation in Russia?

The Russian state has a very difficult path to walk in respect of press freedoms given the circumstances that pertain to the country. On the whole, during a reconstructionist phase, I think that having a press (in all forms) that tends to follow 'national' interests, with an active and well read fringe, is the lesser of two evils, given the alternatives as they actually eist in Russia today. BTW, if youare under the impression that the media in general are not critical of the Kremlin, one might want to turn an eye toward the output of the state media service RIA Novosti - No shortage of criticism and insightful analysis there!

As to the NGOs. I tend toward a sympathetic viewpoint. Having seen the destruction wrought in Ukraine as result of politically motivated and externally financed organisations, sponsored by US and other governments and individuals and organisations with a distinct anti status quo agenda. Russia has itself over the past two decades suffered hugely at the hands of external advisors, they needed to be controlled. Sadly, the most effective means of dealing with this potential and actual meddling was to remove them from the scene.

It seems to me that much of what is seen in America in respect of media, the Kremlin's position and NGO's has been shaped by documents such as Anders Aslund's paper "Putin's Decline and America's Response" available as a PDF file here: www.carnegieendowment.org/files/pb41.aslund.FINAL1.pdf

Peter Lavelle's critique of the work is interesting and evenhanded and well worth a read: http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20050812/41147086.html I think that analysts such as Peter, who actually live in Russia and are literate in the language, tend to criticise many outsiders for their lack of understanding of context, for seeing everything through the eyes of the 'American abroad' and being too open to the views of those Russians who are engaged in their own high stakes and high priced turf wars. Khodorkovski, for example is, I understand, an engaging and personable man with a lot of money to spend upon influenceing the influenceable. he is also a thief and liar who would seek to overturn the elected governement and its ministers.

[Bruno]

Уважаемые Москвичи!
 
     Вы уже знаете, что поставлена последняя точка в решении вопроса об участии партии "� одина" в выборах в Московскую городскую думу. Верховный суд � Ф не выдержал административного давления и согласился с ранее принятым решением Мосгорсуда о снятии всего списка партии с выборов.

     Исключением из выборного списка кандидатов своего главного соперника, власть показала, что не намерена терпеть настоящую оппозицию, тем более вести с ней конструктивный диалог. Настойчивые призывы партии о защите простых москвичей от коррумпированных чиновников, пресечении заработков на слабостях и пороках, контролю над трудовой миграцией натолкнулись на страх и яростное сопротивление правящего класса.

     И проблема даже не в снятии партии "� одина" с выборов. Сам по себе метод устранения основной оппозиционной партии применением административного рычага, показывает, что наше общество движется к однопартийной системе. Сегодня москвичей лишили права выбрать "� одину", завтра у нас вообще может не быть права на выбор!
Московские власти добились своего - в Московскую городскую думу войдут депутаты, удобные мэрии - бывшие префекты, владельцы магазинов, чиновники городской администрации. Еще четыре года они будут делать вид, что "контролируют исполнительную власть" и "защищают москвичей".

     У нас остается единственная возможность выразить свое несогласие с недемократическими действиями властей - проголосовать за выдвинутых партией "� одина" кандидатов - одномандатников. Они есть в большинстве избирательных округов и вместе смогут образовать фракцию в Мосгордуме и отстаивать подлинные интересы простых москвичей, чего так боятся московские власти. Поддержите нас. Мы вас не подведем.
 
 
Кандидат по одномандатному избирательному округу №12 от партии "� одина"

И тихим, сладостным укором
Движений томная небрежность
И тихим, сладостным укором
И тихим, сладостным укором

Движений томная небрежность
Напрасны хитрые старанья:

Умильным голосом и взором

Движений томная небрежность
И трепет уст, и жар ланит?
К чему нескромным сим убором
Напрасны хитрые старанья:

И тихим, сладостным укором

Bad translation :

Dear Muscovites!

     You already know, that last point in the decision of a question on participation of a party(set) "Native land" in elections to the Moscow municipal duma is put. The Supreme court of the Russian Federation has not sustained administrative pressure and has agreed with earlier accepted decision of Moscow City Court on removal of the list of a party(set) from elections.

     Exception of the elective list of candidates of the main contender, the authority has shown, that is not going to suffer(bear) the present(true) opposition, especially to conduct with it(her) meaningful dialogue. Persevering appeals of a party(set) about protection of simple muscovites against corrupt officials, suppression of earnings on weaknesses and defects, to the control over labour migration have encountered fear and furious resistance of ruling class.

     And a problem at all in removal of a party(set) "Native land" from elections. In itself the method of elimination of the basic opposition party application of the administrative lever, shows, that our society goes to an one-party system. Today muscovites were deprived with rights to choose "Native land", tomorrow at us in general can not be rights on a choice!
The Moscow authorities have achieved the - the Moscow municipal duma will be entered by the deputies, the convenient mayoralties - former prefects, owners of shops, officials of city administration. Four more years they will pretend, that " supervise executive authority " and " protect muscovites ".

     We still have unique opportunity to express disagreement with not democratic actions of authorities - to vote for put forward in lots "Native land" of candidates - одномандатников. They are in the majority of constituencies and together can form fraction in Moscow City Council and assert original interests of simple muscovites so the Moscow authorities are afraid of that. Support us. We shall not bring you.

The candidate on one-mandatory constituency № 12 from a party(set) "Native land"

And a silent, delightful reproach
Movements languid negligence
And a silent, delightful reproach
And a silent, delightful reproach

Movements languid negligence
Are vain artful старанья:

Умильным a voice and a look

Movements languid negligence
And trembling of lips, and жар cheeks?
To what immodest сим убором
Are vain artful старанья:

And a silent, delightful reproach

[andrewfi]

What actually happened is that one of the parties, the Nationalist Rodina (Motherland) party, were removed from the ballot following a complaint from the even more nationalistic party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), about a TV ad, which, if I understand correctly, shows two caucasians eating watermelon in a city park. The guys throw the rind to the floor and two ethnic Russians, one of them Dmitry Rogozin, the Rodina leader, then appear and order the men to pick up the rinds. The ad concludes with the slogan, "Let's get rid of our city's garbage." A very clear inference to be drawn.  What would happen in the US with a similar ad featuring a white mayor and colleague and black watermelon eaters, in Russia this is the same kind of level of affront. Tensions between ethnic Russians and those from the Republics run high and propiska laws, which are, under national laws, illegal are still applied in Moscow. This is a touchy area.

I am pretty sure that if such an ad were to appear in western countries, the ad would be forcibly withdrawn and the party punished. This is hardly a reduction in democracy, but much more a stand for principal. Of course LDPR hope to make capital from the issue, but as their stated position is more extreme than Rodina, they can at least claim the moral high ground in the issue, especially as they made the complaint and not the other parties. Is there an element of power play from the Kremlin? Some think so. Rodina was a manufactured party, designed to split to Communist vote and it has recently moved to assert its independence from the Kremlin, but the reality is that Rodina were unlikely to do much in the election anyway. At some point action has to be taken. OTOH, perhaps one of the other parties might now be kicking themselves for not taking action in respect of some of the LDRP's ads, dome of which had a theme not a millin miles from the tv spot at issue. The courts though can only act upon complaints made and the complaints were not made in respect of LDRP.

One of the dangers that the amateur Russia watcher faces is a simple lack of knowledge and context. In the Russian context, there is often a very good reason why things are as they are, different to your countries, but at the same time, much the same.

If I get time over the next few days I will write up a post about Russian press, its place in the panoply of Rusian media and why things are not quite as a nieve observer might think.


 

[acrzybear]

Andrew

It's interesting how the racial problems in the United States pale in comparison to other older countries with hundreds (or thousands) of years of racial conflict. I look forward to reading your post.

[andrewfi]

I would not suggest race issues in the US pale in comparison to the situation in Russia. Your problems are different and arise from an historical context that is entirely American.

Racism in Russia is much more overt than in the US - for example, I can not imagine ANY party in the US even thinking that such an advert, as noted above, was a good idea, let alone thinking they could get away with it!

That other political interest groups would seek to take advantage of such a faux-pas is, to my mind, entirely normal; no difference between the US, Europe or Russia inthis regard.

[al-c]

One simply cannot judge the actions of the Russian government by Western Standards.  What works for us does not necessarily work for them.  So you can't say "Look at the terrible things Putin is doing" without knowing more about what is good for Russia.

I'm not suggesting he is necessarily doing good.  I'm just suggesting that we don't have enough Russian specific knowledge to determine if he is doing good or bad.  Just because an action of his would be considered intolerable in the West does not necessariily make it bad for Russia.

 

[Oosik]

Racism in Russia is much more overt than in the US - for example, I can not imagine ANY party in the US even thinking that such an advert, as noted above, was a good idea, let alone thinking they could get away with it!

Actually, our Democratic Party is getting pretty close with their racial attacks on Mike Steele, black Republican. Black liberal leaders are quoted as saying that "politics trump race" in justifying people throwing oreo cookies at him to accuse him of being black on the outside, white on the inside. I bet in Maryland there are more things going on that I wouldn't know about, being in Alaska and the fact that the national media is trying to downplay the racism.

The fact is that the Russians that I spoke with, from age 39 to 16, all supported Putin. They think a strong man is the only cure for corruption, and to "make the trains run on time". Maybe people figure if the ruler has the power to be a monopoly in his corruption, there are fewer people to bribe or avoid.

[Admin]

Actually, our Democratic Party is getting pretty close with their racial attacks on Mike Steele, black Republican. Black liberal leaders are quoted as saying that "politics trump race" in justifying people throwing oreo cookies at him to accuse him of being black on the outside, white on the inside. I bet in Maryland there are more things going on that I wouldn't know about, being in Alaska and the fact that the national media is trying to downplay the racism.

The fact is that the Russians that I spoke with, from age 39 to 16, all supported Putin. They think a strong man is the only cure for corruption, and to "make the trains run on time". Maybe people figure if the ruler has the power to be a monopoly in his corruption, there are fewer people to bribe or avoid.

Oosik,

You have had your chance to 'vent' over what went on at another board. It is now time to cease making posts that are outside the theme of the board - and by that, I mean, your political leanings.

Frankly, today I was accused of some political leaning or other by one of the board members, simply because I did not censor you earlier. In that case, the guy has absolutely NO IDEA of my politics, but chose to make gross assumptions based on what he WANTED me to do - and it all emanated from your political assertions.

Sooooo . . . This particular section of the board does, indeed, reference Cultural and Political Events. Thematic topics related to culture and politics in FSU countries are welcome.

Topics and posts (or even sections of posts) which are absent a direct connection to culture and politics in the FSU will be edited/deleted/or whatever I see fit.

Please remain ON-TOPIC and give me a break. OK?

- Dan

[Oosik]

Sorry Dan, I didn't mean to get the thought police on your tail.

The point is valid though that it is pretty possible to have very racist political ads here as with Russia, but over here they have a different set of rules.

All the russians that I have talked to support Putin. They want a strong leader, they see that as the only way to get things done.

[Elen]

Ah come on OOsik who have evre cared what Russians thought about their own lifes and leaders if those who lived across the ocean did know better how we're suppose to live  


Elen
 One of those who is supposed to feel that oppresion become s stronger but somehow feels nothing :?