Self-censorship, death threats, and possible conviction:
Russian Journalists' job description not so glamorous
Adriana Condarco-Quesada

St. Petersburg- Dagens Nyheter, the leading news publisher of Stockholm offers its journalists a chic workplace, the latest in apple technology, and a dynamic work place. In St. Petersburg, journalism is not nearly as glamorous. Instead of idyllic workplaces and public respect, many Russian journalists face self-censorship, encounter death threats, and have been convicted of being traitors. An interview with two journalists based in St. Petersburg uncovered a bureaucratic, dangerous, and corrupt press. But also revealed a strong front of journalists who are optimistic and hopeful for the future of the press in Russia.
Censorship has traditionally been viewed as an impediment to free press and democracy. In times of war, danger to national security, or high profile political cases, it quite often occurs that some freedoms are violated and censorship imposed. Although these exceptions violate the fundamental democratic freedom of press, it is not the exception in Russia- it is a norm. Censorship is a reality that Russian journalists face everyday and which challenges them to uphold journalistic ethics and inspires others to strive for attainment of the ideal model of the press. Eugenya Litvinova , the chief editor of St. Petersburg's Free Voice radio channel, explains that an ideal model of the press is based upon a balance of state and private funding, of ethics and censorship, and a need for professional training of journalists.

Clause 1and 2 of Article 29 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation state that, "everybody is guaranteed freedom of thoughts and words," and "the freedom of public of information is guaranteed and censorship is prohibited," many journalists find themselves practitioners of self-censorship.
More recently, environmental journalists like Tatiana Artemova have felt pressured to write "suitable" articles by their magazine or newspaper in order to prevent any agitation of large businesses or corporations that contribute greatly to the income of the news establishment through advertisements. Conflicts arise when the newspapers' main income derives from the advertisements of the largest polluters.

In the battle against corrupt press Tatiana together with other colleagues has established an Environmental Association with the purpose of information exchange and working together. "There is only one rule," said Tatiana, "If I get information from one journalist I will not use it to cause harm against another journalist."
On the political spectrum access to politicians by the majority of journalists is very limited. It is quite common that "special" journalists are identified as "trustworthy" by the authorities and given "special" questions to address political figures like President Vladimir Putin. There is a general belief that although the current media situation is undesirable, many outsiders consider it an improvement from before the fall of the iron curtain.

Eugenya disagrees, "We are not freer." She identified three factors that are currently limiting the press more than ever in recent years. Firstly, the upcoming Duma elections in December 2007 and the following presidential elections in March 2008- the media as during any elections, holds the responsibility of presenting each candidates' agenda and uncover any potentially harmful or hidden agendas. This is seen as a threat to many candidates and which may be a cause or threats or censorship.
Secondly, the delay in technological progress has hindered the ability to appropriately exercise the freedom of press. Specifically, it is the postponement of the switch to digital television and radio technology that has lessened diffusion of information. Eugenia explained that digital technologies represent the absence of monopolies and create a more transparent press.
Lastly, she identified the preference of state and radio channels over others as being the greatest obstacles to freedom. She said however that the Internet is one of the final outposts for freedom of the press in Russia, as the censorship of the Internet would be like iron curtain times. "Therefore, the obtainment of information is dependent on the citizens."

Although the censorship situation is discouraging, and the potential dangers life threatening, it has not discouraged journalists like Eugenya and Tatiana. It is comforting to know that Russian journalists continue to uphold journalistic ethics and work to dispel injustices of the government and environmental abuses of large corporations. When asked why she hasn't fallen into the pit of hopeless journalists, Eugenya replied firmly, "We still have drive to work."