The Russian and Soviet Press: A Long Journey from Suppression to Freedom via Suppression and Glasnost

By Alexander Merkushev

A paper by Alexander Merkushev, fall 1990 fellow, traces the history of press freedom in Russia from the rule of the Czars in the 17th century to the end of the Cold War under Gorbachev. Merkushev details how the Russian press has always reflected the tug-of-war between authorities unwilling to yield powers and a public wanting to have as much freedom as possible.

Download the paper (PDF).