Earplugs

It is quite obvious that Moscow has become much more comfortable to live in than 5-7 years ago. At the same time, the economic crisis and the dramatic fall of ruble’s exchange rate in 2015 has made holidays in EU-countries unaffordable for many Russians. An average meal in Paris would set you back 3 or 4 thousand rubles. My Visa card told me that. You can easily have 3 meals for that money in Moscow. Add to that filthy streets and overwhelming crowds of people, and next time you will think twice before you decide to have a good time in the shade of the Eiffel Tower.

I think, now is probably the first time in the Russian history when many people started seeing real advantages of living in their country. The stupidity of the official ideology and the absurd on the political scene seem quite tolerable alongside cheap central heating and 24-hour shopping. Your whole utilities bill can cost as much as two good lunches near Montmartre. Let’s use earplugs and enjoy the country. Shall we? 

The image of the Future

Conspirology theorists believe that, historically, there have been many important issues that were not properly addressed by mainstream media. For instance, they claim that the fossil fuels lobby has been banning most publications about alternative energy technologies. While this is an interesting theory it still remains a theory.

Today, however, we have a more pressing issue that doesn’t attract conspirology society, but still clearly shows the way censorship can destroy any attempt of a serious discussion. 

Creating an image of the future for Russia was announced as the main agenda of Putin’s election campaign 2018. However, it seems that top political experts are struggling with the task. Only 6 months until the voting day, but the president’s team still have nothing to say about the blueprint of the New Russia. Have they failed their mission? They probably have. 

Why so? Is it really so hard to make a presentation combining all peoples’ hopes and dreams? Everyone wants to be healthy and wealthy, to live in clean cities and cosy homes, to see their children happy. 

This is where we come to our first obstacle. What does happiness actually mean? And do all Russians share the same idea of happiness? Perhaps, happiness varies from region to region, or from one social group to another? 

Some simple answers should be given before we start creating the Image of the Future. And simple question needs simple answers. I would start with very basic issues. Is Russia going to stay part of the European civilization or not? Will Russians ever enjoy a genuine democracy and will they have a right to vote for people they really trust? Is Russia going to be a secular or a religious state and which religion will dominate?”.

More questions could be asked, but sadly I think I can already hear the umms and the wells by the guys who are supposed to give the answers. And I feel for them.

If we are not ready to talk openly about these basics, what kind of future do we deserve?

#russia #freedomofspeech #future #elections #politics #democracy

Is there an alternative?

Considering my previous posts about freedom of speech, it should be said that one of the saddest aspects of Russians’ views on media coverage is that they can’t see any decent alternative outside the country.

By mid-'80s a sustainable myth was formed about free press in the West. People of the late USSR were convinced that the USA and Europe were a home of true democracy and justice.

The experience of the following 30 years destroyed those beliefs. Take the latest elections in the US or the Brexit campaign which both have clearly shown that European and American media can also play dirty games, manipulating people's minds.

Some of media outlets use the same intonation as the most affected Russian show-propagandist Dmitry Kisselev. Rather than just informing people about current events, they strive to make the public think and act in particular ways.

“Brexit caused by low levels of education”, 'Enjoy your miserable life on your island’ – these are among the milder examples that you could come across in the sea of biased and insulting headlines.

Isn't it a good excuse for Russian media managers to say that propagandistic style is now standard worldwide? And now we face a new storm of myths about Western Media which are now seen as opposing. Exaggerated Political Correctness which hampers objectivity, total anti-Russian brainwashing, manipulative and aggressive propaganda against “traditional values” - those are a few things that many Russians now think of American and European everyday news agenda. A horrifying migration crisis, confusing far-left statements of European politicians, a war-like rhetoric of American military experts - all of these are welcome guests in Russian headlines.

Should Western media be concerned about their reputation in non-Western countries? I believe that professional reflection must be part of daily routine of media society. It is crucial for genuine freedom of speech all over the world.
#freedomofspeech #freedomofexpressoin #writing #politics #tv #propaganda

Massive lies on TV. How long can people stand it?

It’s no secret that most of the so-called ‘talk shows’ are based on poorly written scripts and have no connection with reality. Editors hire actors to play roles of passionate speakers. These ‘fakesperts’ pretend to be popular American or European activists or academic figures, and do their best to behave as aggressively as possible, making anti-Russian statements right in the studio. The other part of speakers ‘defend’ national historic honor, burning the opponents with their sarcastic replies. Every drama needs a conflict; every show needs a scandal – those are the rules.
The viewer is expected to watch that storm of emotions and to experience a flood of patriotism, righteous anger and hunger for revenge. That is what the producers think people need.
Hate-speech, primitive and generalized statements, black-and-white pictures of the world and other bigotry – this is what feeds people’s minds on a hard day’s night. It goes without saying, that this kind of TV production is part of the strategy. It keeps people busy with Ukraine, Syria, and scheming operations of the US Department of State rather than the day-to-day problems of their neighborhood, town, and region.
However, here comes another question. Do people deserve to be treated like ‘sheeple’?
I think they do. If you abandon critical thinking, if you prefer a convenience over truth, then you’re helping to deceive yourself. Serves you right!
We are living in an open world and there is no excuse for those who cannot find objective information. At times, the real picture is right under your nose. Just google the word “propaganda” and find an article called “Confessions of a Propagandist” that talks about the system of political TV in detail. If you really need the information about how it works, you have just to lift your finger, quite literally. Otherwise, you do not deserve any sympathy living in your run-down provincial town.
#freedomofspeech #telegram #freedomofexpressoin #writing #politics #tv #propaganda

Telegram

Today we have access to a variety of public communication instruments. Everyone has an opportunity to express their views and deliver their texts to thousands of potential followers.
One of the newest public information tools is Telegram that provides an option of having your personal channel. What is a Telegram channel? It is a stream of posts that you can send as if you are texting your friend, but it can be received by everyone who joins your channel. No comments, no interaction, only your posts, information, views, links, pictures and stuff.
Its simplicity attracts users, especially in particular countries. In Iran, for instance, Telegram channels are extremely popular, and one channel can have 10 million or even more followers. During the last election campaign, Telegram was one of the main sources of political information for Iranians.
How come?
The thing is, a Telegram channel conceals your profile. Most of the channels are anonymous, and it would be very challenging for the authorities to reveal the real authors.
Here in Russia we also can see a significant influence of Telegram channels, especially among experts who create political agenda. The most popular genre is an insight channel that looks like a source of current information leaking from the top. There are 4 or 5 channels considered as headliners, and often their posts cause havoc.
But even such a simple and effective instrument has its weakness. These days, only a lazy politician doesn't own a Telegram channel. Experts and institutions are also following the trend. So if you are involved in politics, your feed will be flooded with a deluge of their messages. One way or another, you will have to deal with a mess of contradictory information. Needless to say, it's the quality that suffers.
Mess and cacophony are the first enemies of free speech.
#freedomofspeech #telegram #freedomofexpressoin #socialnetworks #writing #politics

Governance and media

It would be erroneous to say that here in Russia any sort of free speech is completely non-existent. A significant part of well-established media still retains an ironic and critical attitude towards authorities, just take the Kommersant or the Vedomosti as examples.
Russia is definitely not like North Korea, Turkmenistan, or Azerbaijan.That's the good news.
The bad news is that you would never find a media outlet which is not involved in political or business fights and schemes, or one that would not be prepared to shift the angle of observation according to a specific business proposal. It's no secret that so-called Kremlin "towers" live in a permanent state of war and competition, and media are one of the most effective weapons in this battlefield.
Unfortunately, despite numerous scoops that reveal corruption, this collision cancels out transparency, good governance, and other benefits which journalists usually struggle for. Even a well-proven critical publication about a failed ministry would not make them change the way they do their work. Let's have a look at the hero of the day. This failed minister will gladly ask "Who paid for the article?" but never "What have I done wrong?".
You can write a good text about the poor condition of the road system, or even about police bribery and you will easily find the way to publish the article because a good piece of writing is always welcome. But the effect of your truth will disappoint you. The Road Department will not dash to build a new road but firstly, they would start searching for the enemy among other governmental or business structures that could have arranged the publication. Of course, your figures and facts could become a weapon against the head of the Department but I'm not sure that it would do the public any good.
#freedomofspeech #governance #transparency #media #politics