Throughout the world, the media (state and public) play a large role in the formation of collective views and opinions on various issues. They are able to promote certain ideas and ideologies, influencing the mass consciousness and the dominant point of view. In our country, the media and state power work in one bundle, being in mutually beneficial coexistence. Indeed, in countries with an authoritarian and totalitarian system of government, they are usually regulated by the state. In democracies, the role of independent and private companies, which can also disseminate certain, selective informational content, is more significant. However, each of them has its own point of view, which may differ from the state one. As a result, the population of such countries has more opportunities to assess the situation objectively.
The role of the state in state media
In Russia, the democratic nature of the media dominated only in the 90s of the 20th century, while in other periods, the state-owned media were crucial. In recent years, there has been a tendency to strengthen the role of state propaganda in the federal media. However, the degree of democracy is still higher than in the Soviet period. Government media policy is now reminiscent of a nut tightening. In recent years, the Internet has played a large role in public education, where state regulation is not so strong. However, state control of media on the Internet is also increasing.
Feature of the Russian media
According to researchers, in modern Russia there are no completely independent publications that would defend the interests of the public, and not the private interests of companies or the state. Perhaps the exception is Public Russian Television (state-public media) and some online publications. Various private media outlets uphold their personal interests. And therefore they have a certain bias in covering certain events, knowingly not showing those of them that do not correspond to their interests.
State-owned media, whose influence is growing, defend the interests of federal or regional authorities and are directly controlled by the relevant authorities. Officials directing media financing in a certain direction also take an active part in this process. Before getting on the air, a particular report may undergo preliminary censorship. This leads to one-sided coverage of events taking place in the world, from politics to ecology.
As many researchers note, modern media in Russia have become a tool for managing public opinion. At the same time, society does not control them. Therefore, many people have a negative opinion about them. Being under tight control by officials, the federal media are turning into an instrument of influencing the mass consciousness, instead of defending the interests of people. This impedes the development of democracy in the country and negatively affects the socio-economic situation.
At the same time, researchers note that strict government regulation is a traditional feature of Russian information publications. This is something that cannot be eradicated yet. The state nature of federal and regional mass media in our country is fixed, one might say, at the genetic level. And in the foreseeable future it is unlikely to get rid of it.
The main state and government media of the Russian Federation
Despite the development of the Internet, print media and television remain the main source of information for most Russian citizens. The advantages of such information channels is the submission of more accurate and accurate information about events taking place in the country and the world. Since the main purpose of the federal media is the formation of a certain public opinion, it is natural that not all events in such media will be covered. In contrast to the federal media, private online publications provide more versatile information, but the accuracy and reliability of coverage can be lower.
VGTRK
It is the largest state television and radio company in Russia. She appeared back in 1990. Based on the TV channels "Russia 1", "Russia 2" and "Russia K". Moreover, the first is the leading Russian channel. She heads the TV channel “Russia 24”, 89 regional TV channels, as well as 5 radio stations: “Radio of Russia”, “Vesti FM”, “Youth”, “Culture”, “Mayak”. It broadcasts on the Internet on the channel "Russia".
"RIA News"
The Russian International Information Agency is one of the largest news agencies in the country. Its main office is located in Moscow. According to the number of references, RIA Novosti is even on the 1st place in the country. Moreover, links to this information publication are typical for the Internet. Actively use this resource in Europe. Thus, the official website of RIA Novosti is among the ten most popular online media in Europe.
The information presented on the pages of this site is reliable. Representative offices are located in several CIS and Baltic countries. The site also has 12 mobile applications and is actively represented in popular social networks.
Representatives of RIA Novosti say that the information they provide is objective, operational and independent of the political situation in the country and the world.
The company’s services are also used by senior Russian officials: the presidential administration, the Russian government, parliament, various ministries and departments, regional authorities, public organizations, and business circles.
ITAR-TASS
This company is called the “Information Telegraph Agency of Russia” and is one of the most active. The stream of events is covered in 6 languages: English, Russian, German, French, Spanish and Arabic. Over 500 correspondents are involved in the work. The emphasis is on news coverage of politics, economics, culture, sports and public life in Russia and the world.
This company has a long history. It was created in 1902 as a trade and telegraph agency.
"Russian newspaper"
It is the printing center of the government of the Russian Federation. However, it is suitable for an ordinary citizen of the country. On its pages are news, reports, interviews of statesmen, competent comments. The circulation is estimated in hundreds of thousands of copies.
Much attention is paid to the topic of laws, decrees, orders and decrees, regulatory acts, court decisions, etc. The first issue of this publication dates back to 1990. She has a lot of followers.
"Voice of Russia"
Voice of Russia is a state-owned broadcasting company. She receives funding in the government of the Russian Federation, and broadcasts abroad. Exists since 1929.
"Parliamentary newspaper"
Published by the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. It was established in 1997. Basically, it publishes materials of a legal nature: federal laws, decrees, acts and other documents. Available to readers by subscription and retail. Has its own website.
Dynamics of Russians' trust in different types of media
Recently, there has been a decline in the confidence of Russian citizens in state media. And a simultaneous shift in preferences towards the Internet. So, at the beginning of 2016, 65% of the country's residents trusted the state-owned media, and as early as November 2018, only 47%. At the same time, trust in non-state media almost doubled over this period. This is evidenced by the results of a survey conducted by FOM sociologists. A total of 1.5 thousand people were interviewed.
In 2018, the confidence of Russians in such services as YouTube and Telegram has significantly increased. True, the numbers are still low: from 4 to 12%. 62 percent of respondents prefer to use different sources of information.
Almost half of the respondents use the Internet to obtain information. However, the TV is still in priority: most Russian citizens still watch it. For many, it is the main or only source of information.
All this suggests that people are increasingly going to the World Wide Web. Obviously, this explains the desire of the Russian authorities to restore order there, and to block a number of sites in general.
Conclusion
Thus, we answered the question which state-owned media. And also gave them a brief description. State policy in the media in recent years has begun to tighten.