Russia

Just yesterday I had written a qualified warning against blaming Russian media meekness entirely on the Kremlin. Now, I am really tempted to take it all back.

In a case of unabashed, iron gripped censorship of one of the most courageous, outspoken and thoughtful publications in the country, Russian Federal investigators have targeted The Exile, an independent English language newspaper that has been publishing since 1997, for possible violation of media laws. This crackdown must be exposed and stopped.

I have been a faithful reader of the Exile for much of its existence. Imagine a mix of The Nation, the Daily Show and Private Eye, all written by Andre Breton, on crack, and you will get an inkling of the Exile’s essence.

The paper, edited by American expat Mark Ames, is a fusion of irreverent, insightful, caustically funny, often offensive and always sincere observations on Russian politics, culture and society. Through its gonzo journalism, it has consistently told truth to power and acted as a fierce critic of the American media’s often shallow and prejudiced reporting on Russia. It was one of the few organs to predict the 1998 rouble crash, and during the 1990s, it was often the only critic of the Yeltsin regime and the West’s perceived blind support for his devastating reforms, consistently examining the tumultuous lives and struggles of everyday people through a blend of wit, erudition and scathing satire. Today, it remains an equally strong critic both of Putin and the West’s democracy promoters, while also, in its commentary on Russia, telling some home truths about the West itself.

The Exile’s radical politics, perpetual opposition to the powerful and provocative stunts have made it a pariah, with enemies in Western media circles (especially The Economist), Russian government and business elite groups, as well as in Russia’s liberal democratic scene (especially Michael McFaul). It is a truly independent voice of a whole generation growing up in post-communist times, and has unwaveringly stood up for justice.

The newspaper has also launched some well known talents: its co-founding editor, Matt Taibbi, is now the political reporter for Rolling Stone, and its war columnist, Gary Brecher aka the War Nerd, is an internationally recognised expert on warfare. It is currently one of the only media organs giving voice to Eduard Limonov, the tumultuous leader of the National Bolshevik Party, an extra-parliamentary opposition group whose members make up the bulk of Russian political prisoners today. Limonov writes a regular column for the Exile.

Without the slightest exaggeration, the demise of the Exile would be an unquantifiable loss for Russian journalism.

This cynical attempt to use legal pressure to shut down the Exile strikes at the very core of free speech, not to mention the gut of everyone who cares about Russia and seeks to understand it, warts and all.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 6:01 pm and is filed under democracy, Vladimir Putin, Dmitri Medvedev, Press and Media, Culture and Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.