Russian Regional Journalism

‘Repackaging the emptiness’: How Russian regional journalism adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Previous studies have shown that state-subsidized regional publications might use their social media accounts to deviate from the “party line” (e.g., Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ). Social media can encourage a more “fluid and dynamic” media ecology, providing not just alternative platforms for reporting, but opportunities for deviant messaging within online spaces provided for audience communication.…”

“…Theoretical case-study sampling ( Yin, 2009 ) was used, with newspapers chosen based on their varying dependence on government resources, an ecological factor likely to strongly influence decisions by news outlets and journalists, according to prior literature ( Lowrey & Erzikova, 2010 , 2018 ; Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ). The following newspaper organizations were included from Region A to provide comparison across the main forms of ownership: The Government , a biweekly paper that is fully subsidized from the regional budget; the Traditional , a weekly that is partially subsidized by the regional government, and the Private , a privately owned weekly that receives some funding from government contracts that prescribe coverage of government activities.…”

“…Russian regional journalists have taken substantial pay cuts and accepted delays in wage payments, and they have gone without critical “honoraria”—supplemental payments for producing stories to fill newspaper news holes. Journalists have become strongly dependent on honoraria ( Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ). In the face of political-economic difficulties, Russian provincial news outlets have had to rely increasingly on government support, in the forms of both direct budgetary subsidies and information contracts that allow news outlets to cover activities of government officials ( Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ).…”

“…Journalists have become strongly dependent on honoraria ( Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ). In the face of political-economic difficulties, Russian provincial news outlets have had to rely increasingly on government support, in the forms of both direct budgetary subsidies and information contracts that allow news outlets to cover activities of government officials ( Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 ). Consequently, the regional government largely sets the local news agenda ( Dovbysh & Mukhametov, 2020 ).…”

“…This behavior is consistent with Russian citizens’ historical tendencies to adapt, shelter, and survive rather than openly rebel in the face of hardship and oppression ( Gudkov et al, 2009 ). From an ecological perspective, “continuing to survive is ultimately more consequential than securing clear boundaries in the face of dominant force [such as the government], and there are many ways [journalists] may adapt, gain footholds and carry on” ( Erzikova & Lowrey, 2020 , p. 53).…”