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CHECHNYA LINKS LIBRARY

December 27th 2002 · CJES / Timur Aliyev · PRINTER FRIENDLY FORMAT · E-MAIL THIS · ALSO AVAILABLE IN: RUSSIAN 

The press in the Chechen Republic

By Tamerlan Aliyev, the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations.

The current situation with the freedom of speech in Chechnya, as well as journalism as such, has been forming itself during the last seven war (pre-war, post-war) years. After the initial euphoria of general freedom in late 80s - early 90s when the Chechen mass media started introducing issues prohibited until then (such as national self-determination, much debated at many rallies) and journalists could write and speak frankly and openly, post-war journalism became more vague.

Throughout the whole period from 1995, strong influence of the authorities (either pro-Russian or Ichkerian) together with the military presence (the Russian military or fighters/“wahhabis”) facilitated the creation of new features of the journalist style.

The genre of investigative journalism, for instance, has practically disappeared. Attempts to revive it or at least comment on issues using its elements could end badly for the author. Pseudonyms became increasingly common among reporters although it was impossible to conceal one’s relation to a published material in such a small country. It was very rare that the names of persons involved in problematic material were published. Journalists avoided even their initials, using general identification, such as “an inhabitant of the Gekhi village” or “a student of the oil institute”.

Non-conflicting language of articles, lack of sharp themes in the mass media, and “polished” and cautious judgments are the primary attributes of the official Chechen journalism today. This “peace-making” position, however, is enforced and acquired under the pressure from the outside, rather than freely adopted.

The pressure on the mass media was typical mainly for the periods between 1997 and 1999 (“the period of independence”) and from 2000 onwards (being “a part of Russia”).

Currently, the mass media are being affected through more or less identical methods: civilian authorities exercise influence on an organizational and legal level while “armed people” use power means like threats, intimidation, kidnapping and killing.

From 1996 to 1999, the mass media were clearly pro-Ichkerian (i.e. pro- governmental). Their attitude in relation to fighters or “wahhabis” was positively neutral, with a strongly disapproving position towards Russia (as the political enemy).

Today’s situation is virtually the same. The official mass media fully support the government (which have turned pro-Russian by now), being slightly negative with respect to armed people (Russian servicemen) and strongly denouncing the political opponents of new the authorities (i.e. Ichkerians).

In other words, regardless of a different political system of Chechnya, all the differences in the legal positions adopted by the mass media (predominance of non-governmental mass media over governmental in 1996-99 and precisely the opposite proportion today) and the above mentioned periods, the base situation of journalists was generally the same.

Chechen journalists knew what they could afford to express and tried not to exceed the allowed limits. The conclusion seems like a paradox: today, in the war period, the mass media are in no conflicts with the authorities and violation of journalists’ rights is rare.

However, this superficial conclusion is wrong since it is based on a false perception that journalism in Chechnya functions just as in any other country. In reality, no true journalism exists in the republic since the style of newspaper reporting has nothing to do with it.

As of today, all the mass media in Chechnya can be divided into three groups, namely the state, non-governmental and “separatist” mass media.

State mass media

The state mass media represent the largest group. The following 15 periodicals are published and distributed in the territory of Chechnya: 2 nationwide and 11 regional newspapers, 1 newspaper issued by an institute, 1 newspaper for the youth and 3 magazines. There is one information agency (which includes also a photo agency) in operation. The state media include also one local TV and two radio stations.

Newspapers (with the name of the editor-in-chief, the print run, and in some cases also the place on which it focuses):

· “Vesti respubliki” (M. Khadzhiyev, 10,000) – nationwide weekly
· “Daimokhk” (L. Satuyeva, 10,000) – nationwide (published in Chechen)
· “Vesti Groznogo” (Sh. Magomayev) - Grozny
· “Gums” (Kh. Borkhadzhiyev, 7,000) – the Gudermesski district
· “Marsho” (S. Khozhaliyev, 10,000) – the Urus-Martanovski district
· “Terskaya Nov” (M. Alazurova) – the Shyolkovski district
· “Orga” (A. Barzanukayev, 2,000) – Argun
· “Terkyist” (А.Dukhayev) – the Nadterechny district
· “Zama” (М.Ilyasov, 7,000) – the Shalinski district
· “Terskaya pravda” (A.Damayeva, 5,000) – the Naurski district
· “Iman” (R. Ezerkhanov) – the Achkhoi-Martanovski district
· “Zov zemli” (А.Sagapiov, 15,000) – the Groznenski district
· “Khalkan dosh” (Sh. Sarakayev, 10,000) – the Nozhai-Yurtovski and Vedenski districts
· “Vozrozhdenije” (L. Andiyeva) – youth newspaper
· “Za neftyannyje kadry” (R. Lalayev) – a specialised newspaper of the Grozny Oil Institute Magazines (with the name of the editor-in-chief):
· “Stela1ad” (I. Dzhanaraliyev) – children’s magazine
· “Vainakh” (М. Berdukayev) – arts and literature
· “Orga” (S. Yusupova) – arts and literature Information agencies: information agency “Grozny-inform” (A. Batalov) with a photo-agency.

ТV and radio: Local TV is included in the State Television and Radio Company network, and is broadcast on the RTR frequency during the regional broadcast period in the evening.

The State Radio of the Chechen Republic (its activities were resumed on November 12, 2002) (director A. Davletukayev).

Radio station “Chechnya svobodnaya” (started operating in spring 2000).

There exist also the Union of Journalists of the Chechen Republic (chaired by Umar Yarichev) and the Union of Writers of the Chechen Republic (chaired by Amlikhan Khasbulatov).

All newspapers are run by the state and fully financed by the government. They are published on a weekly basis and consist of 8 sheets in A3 size in the case of the nationwide press and 4 sheets in A3 size in the case of regional press. All these periodicals are distributed for free. The real number of issued copies does not always correspond with the official print run and is often lower.

In the near future, the media scene in Chechnya might turn into a battle field for the presidential post. In the meantime, today’s Minister for the Press, TV, Radio and Mass Media and Vice-Premier of the Moscow-backed Chechen government Bislan Gantamirov is preparing a start line from which he could launch his pre-election campaign.

Gantamirov is personally involved in the selection of the management of the mass media in Chechnya, which is often based on favouritism or family ties. Editors are recruited from among people who are far from journalism. Together with experienced reporters, also young and not always experienced people without the appropriate degree work in the mass media.

Two more nationwide newspapers and one TV channel are to be launched at the beginning of 2003, again with the aim of lobbying for Gantamirov.

“Golos Chechenskoi Respubliki” will be one of them. It changed its name from the previous “Groznenski rabochiy”. The paper was first published in 1991. Starting from 1995, both versions are being issued with “Golos Chechenskoi respubliki” becoming independent.

The last issue of “Golos Chechenskoi respubliki” was published in autumn 1999 before the beginning of military operations in Chechnya. Due to the lack of funds, the newspaper was discontinued.

Based on the above, in summer 2002 Gantamirov decided to reorganize the newspaper into a state-run periodical, subordinating it to the Ministry for Press of the Chechen Republic. The previous editor Satsita Isayeva was illicitly fired.

Independent mass media

There are several independent periodicals published irregularly in Chechnya. Greater development of the non-governmental mass media is inhibited by a number of factors. Firstly, it is the impediment of the authorities, as in the case of “Golos Chechenskoi Respubliki”. Secondly, the newspapers in Chechnya do not make profits. The low purchasing power of Chechens and the strong competition of the state-run press distributed for free does not allow to boost their print run. The few independent mass media that exist in Chechnya are published primarily thanks to subsidies.

“Groznenski rabochiy” is the oldest newspaper published in Chechnya since 1918. It became independent in 1995. Musa Muradov is the editor-in-chief. The black-and-white newspaper is published weekly and has 4 sheets in А2 format.

With the beginning of military operations in Chechnya in 1999, the publishing of this newspaper moved onto the territory of Ingushetia. It was distributed mainly to the inhabitants of Ingushetia among whom there were many refugees from Chechnya. Part of the published issues were shipped to Chechnya. Given the lack of money, regular publishing of the newspaper was stopped in spring 2001. Until that time, the print run of the newspaper numbered 2,000 copies.

Since then, the newspaper resumed its activities twice. In summer 2002, it received a subsidy for further operations. The newspaper will resume regular publishing in early 2003.

“Obyedinyonnaya gazeta” (“The United Newspaper”). This paper united several Chechen newspapers published in Moscow. Hence its title. It has been published in Chechnya since 2002 on a weekly basis under the leadership of Mansur Magomadov. The black-and-white newspaper has 8 sheets in А3 format and is published irregularly.

“Separatist” mass media

This group comprises several newspapers published illegally. The issues continue to adhere to the independent state policies of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, each defending the interests of their respective leaders. What they have in common is the fact that they express a strong anti-Russian position, calling Russian soldiers aggressors and occupants and the representatives of the current authorities as traitors.

Some of these newspapers were published during 1996-99 in Chechnya. Today’s place of publishing is unknown. They are distributed in the territory of the Chechen Republic on a weekly basis.

· “Ichkeria” - 12 sheets in А4 format, 3,000 copies – a newspaper of Aslan Maskhadov’s government
· “Ichkeria” (2nd version) - 4 sheets in А3 format, 3,000 copies – a newspaper of Aslan Maskhadov’s government
· “Sign of Jihad” - 16 sheets in А4 format – a wahhabi newspaper
· “Way of Jihad” – 16 sheets in А4 format – a wahhabi newspaper
· “Mekh-khel” - 16 sheets in А4 format, 10,000 copies
· “Varis” – 4 sheets in А3 format (in Chechen language), 2,000 copies.

It can be said that “Mekh-khel” and “Varis” advocate for independent Chechnya and hold anti-Russian, rather than Ichkerian, positions.

Other mass media

There are also Chechen mass media based outside the borders of Chechnya. Their political view is usually oriented towards Ichkeria.

They are mostly Internet news agencies, such as “Kavkaz-centr”, “Chechenpress”, “chechen.org”, “Daimokh”, “Kavkazski vestnik”.

Several newspapers are published in South Caucasus (Georgia, Azerbaijan).

News service in the territory of Chechnya is also provided by ORT, RTR and NTV as these TV companies have their transmitters in Chechnya.

In Chechnya, one can buy all Moscow newspapers of federal importance. The only non-Moscow newspaper is “North Caucasus”, which is published in Kabardino-Balkaria and is distributed to all North Caucasian republics.


(Translated by Prague Watchdog).

(P/T)

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