Anna Politkovskaya & Russia By: Sharee Jackson & Lucy Karpilovksaya

Russia Authoritarian press press to further gov objectives Stem off Communist model Press is gov tool for manipulation of what the public needs to know Ironic as Russia desires to be part of the Western world Backward- oppression & fear Possible relationship: the more relaxed the gov control, the more basic human rights are not violated so is press freedom a basic human right? In theory, Communism media model has some positives: Purpose to serve the people’s interests and needs and people have the right to stop or penalize any anti-societal publication In practice, promoting party agenda was the intent

“Tomorrow Will Be Better” Loss of faith by people and the gov 1970s Gov criticizes Western media Western mass communication leaks through TV and radio Lifestyle comparison- did not measure up 1986 Chernobyl 1985 Pereistroika 1991 Yeltsin

“Backwardness” Yeltsin temporarily bans Communist Party, violently suppresses Chechnya rebellion BUT downturn to economy & inflation leads to Putin president in attack on journalists, takeover of NTV, shutdown of a major Moscow Daily Eliminated freedom of speech but economy finally doing well 2008 NYT “Luxury Destination of the Year,” Mercer Consulting twice “Most Expensive City in the World” Merrill-Lynch BUT ave salary is $5000/year Economy takes mind off of lack of free speech

Anna Politkovskaya Anna was born in 1958 with dual citizenship between Russia and the United States. Parents were diplomats for United Nations. Graduated from Moscow State with degree in Journalism. During Anna was as a writer at Izvestia. Second Job was as an assistant chief editor at Obshchaya Gazeta from 1994 to Sent her to Chechnya for the first time She continued to write for Novaya Gazeta throughout the rest of her career.

Work of Anna Politkovskaya Interviewed people at hospitals,and refugee camps in Chechnya Wrote articles and books about the second Chechen war: Describes abuses by the Russian military and government. Treatment of men in the Russian Military Chechen citizens being abducted, tortured, or killed Her work contributed to global knowledge of the human rights abuses in Russia Was detained by military officials in 2001 Helped with hostage situations in Russia She was killed in 2006