Svetlana Pasti, University of Tampere BASEES/ICCEES European Congress 2013: ‘Europe: Crisis and Renewal’ April 5-8, Cambridge, UK

2 World Democracy Audit 2013 Source: Russia: in the group of non-free country between Iraq and Kazakhstan Democracy rank: 128 Press Freedom rank: 128 Corruption rank: 110 Finland on the top: 1, 1, 1 North Korea on the bottom: 150, 150, 148

3 World Press Freedom 2013 Source: Reporters Without Borders Russia: 148 th (-6 fallen) among 179 countries: repressions to a wave of opposition protests, tighter control of internet, making foreign funding of human rights organizations as a crime Russian Union of Journalists (Bogdanov, 2013): in Russia has become worse with the freedom of speech. Legislation in the field of media overkill, we are strictly regulated how to talk, how to act. Russian journalists - in the International Congresses of Journalists; First professional editions

4 Different Levels of Freedom Source: American criteria – problems mentioned in last BASEES by Ellen Mickiewicz Freedom of press: Russia, score 80, non-free Freedom on net: Russia, score 52, partly free Rating for independent media remains unchanged during past 10 years (6.25, scale of 1-7, with 1 highest level and 7 lowest)

5 Stimulus for the growth of Internet Broadband Internet development in regions Cost of Internet is reducing Internet access speed is increasing In 2013 – 90 millions of internet users (about 142 million of population) Average age of internet user in Russia is 33 year Open platform for public debate and political opinions

6 Internet role is growing Internet as source of information: 60% of population Television as source of information: 73% of population By new elections to the State Duma (2016) and President elections (2018) main role will be with Internet

7 Internet: as threat to the regime Social media networks and video-sharing platforms played a critical role in galvanizing massive protests in December 2011 The Russian government intends to control the media and Internet, monitor all information not only in the media, but also on forums, blogs and social networks Since May 2012: recriminalized defamation, expanded blacklisting websites, bloggers faced detention and criminal prosecutions

8 Internet as medicine against revolutions 60% of Russians use Internet Russians are in the first place in the world on the amount of time on social networks Educated Russians devoted more time for Internet and social networks in virtual world, they have less desire for the revolution in real world Specialists preferring to do everything remotely: work, learn, communicate, reluctance to have a contact with real people

St Petersburg pilot study A part of the academic project Media Systems in Flux: The Challenge from the BRICS countries, Four cities in Russia : Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Petrozavodsk Similar studies in all BRICS countries, Main research focus on the new online media in comparison with the conventional media 9

Online media sample: St Petersburg New mediacharacteristicsFounders/Own Level /audience rbc.ruNews portal/24hRBC hold (Prokh.)Nation/most cited Fontanka.ruNews & analysisAzhur holdingLocal/2 million/ m Firstnews.ruNews portalZAO FirstnewsLocal/ /m Lenizdat.ruNews portalMedia SPb holdingNorth-W/ Dozhdj tv/Rain-tvInternet TVMedia holdingNational Karpovka.ruQuality gazetaJournalistsLocal/ /m Bumaga.ruQuality gazetaJournalistsLocal/32.000/m Peterburgski dairyInternet dailyCity governmentLocal/ /m Zaks.ruPolitical siteMediaSPb holdingNorth-W/ Ok-informQuality magazineJournalistsLocal Politgramota.ruPolitical siteJournalistsInter-region V kurseShow MagazineJournalistsNat./ subc 10

Journalists in online media Sample: 23 journalists and editors in 12 online media Age: 20 under 31, 3 above 31 Gender: 13 male, 10 female Education: 22 with university diploma, 1 unfinished Employment: 22 permanent, 1 contracted Income: between Rub ( Eur) Second job: 2/3 Membership in Union of Journalists: only 3 Party/NGO belonging: only 1 NGO 11

Online journalists From middle class: architects, engineers, teachers, academics, journalists, servicemen, programmer, accountants Professional experience in conventional media Strong wish to work independently resulted to move from conventional media to online 12

Self-portrait: Online journalists Q: What is difference between you, journalists online, and those in old media? Young people: under 30 Speed of perception, reaction, work: We are faster Internet media like news agency Long working hours, it is available 24/7 No border between work and private life 13

Self-portrait: Online journalists Multi-platform: Online media often combines TV, newspaper and news agency. It works against a journalist: lost depth, quality, no idea, often bloopers Multi-functionality: Managing editor of online daily + working with social networks: their content and communication with subscribers + anchorperson + news editor of online radio. “No matter how many tasks you do, it is important, how do you do it” (from interview) 14

Protests in St Petersburg 2008 – first protest, detention of journalist, Union stood up for him, special lifejackets for journalists 2011 December: first day – 100 people arrested, second day – 100, third day – 100, then people less and less, until 15 December protest ended 31 day, every month – rally Gostinnyi Dvor Big potential for protests. Large critical masses of dissatisfaction accumulated. People skeptical to everything Social lifts do not work 15

From picketers into journalists “Journalism had a surge of popularity in 2011 on the wave of the protests in the city. Humanists after the rallies decided that it was necessary to somehow help society. One of ways was seen to become journalists. Street people flowed the profession. Some failed, but some had stayed in journalism. Some began to work as journalists on the protests by picturing and sending photos to the media. They believe that their reports in the media are necessary, this is seen as engaging with society. They are very young, years, students” (from interview) 16

Journalists and protests Regular coverage of protests (differed from official) Protest is emotional expression of opinion Following blogosphere: Dissatisfaction growing up Tiredness: “No protests in weekend”, journalists are more than picketers Opposition separated, no leader, no program Weak faith in effectiveness of protests: Street protests led to nothing 17

Journalists and protests Protests provoked interest in politics: “From the student newspaper we developed into a youth online newspaper, which represents the views of 20-year-old generation, who were born in 1990, 1991 and 1989 respectively” (from interview) December 2011 like student’s revolution, age: Some kept a distance to protests not identifying themselves with picketers, performing in the status of a detached reporter, some were involved 18

Journalists and protests Journalists distinguish political protests (unfair elections) and city rallies (local questions of city life, city building, public health, etc.) Some participate in city rallies to make the city better Journalists positively estimate people’s awakening, participation in protests and rallies, but their valuation of opposition and its leaders is not high. “People do not trust opposition” (from interview) Journalists respect civil organizations Beautiful Petersburg, Petersburg’s observers and civil activists 19

Findings: Online media: 3 types Independent initiatives by journalists: Bumaga, Karpovka, Politgramota, OK, V kurse Part of independent media holdings (Azhur, MediaSPb, RBC): Fontanka, Lenizdat, Zaks.ru, RBC.ru City government: Peterburgsky dairy 20

Online media: Young, healthy, multi- All young: Established during the 2000s Healthy media economy Small-scale organizations in comparison with the conventional media (on average 6-7 journalists) Most successful with multi-platform strategy: Fontanka, first internet daily in the city established: Fontanka.Fi, Voditel Peterburga, Doktor Piter, Kvadrat.Ru, radio Fontanka FM Specialization and expertize, target audiences Interactivity with audience and interactive advertising 21

Conclusion With rise of Internet –rise of independent online media To establish online media is available for anybody Young professionals go to online for politically independent journalism Online media become influential sources of information and opinion owing to their independence Politicians, experts, journalists begin a new day with online media, not with the conventional media Generation of 1990 and later without servile mentality 22