PP1: News and Information

 Izvestia as a Global Disinformation Tool

Izvestia's logo.

Founded in 1917, Izvestia is one of Russia's oldest newspapers. The news source, which served as the official publication of the Soviet government until 1991, now operates as a daily newspaper and claims itself to be the "national newspaper" of Russia (Britannica). Although Izvestia presents itself as a mainstream national newspaper, its coverage operates within Russia's highly restricted media environment, selectively framing political events to align with Kremlin narratives, downplay domestic dissent, and present international news in ways that legitimize state policy. 

Izvestia while it operated under the Soviet Union (The Moscow Times). 

An important question arises: who exactly are the Kremlin, and what role do they play in shaping media outlets such as Izvestia? The term Kremlin is actually used in two ways. First, it refers to a historic fortress in Moscow—Russia's capital—that houses the president's residence and offices (Express to Russia). Second, it is used as a shorthand for the Russian government itself, in the same way that Americans often use "the White House" to refer to the U.S. government. This dual meaning emphasizes its importance: the Kremlin is at once a physical seat of power and a symbol of centralized authority, secrecy, and control in Russia's political system. 

A photo of the Kremlin in Moscow (Bridge to Moscow). 

Understanding the Kremlin's dominance over Russian politics also requires recognizing how tightly it controls the nation's media environment. Russia's system of censorship has made it one of the most repressive media environments in the world. According to the 2025 Reporters Without Borders' report, Russia ranks 171st out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom. This ranking represents the government's systematic efforts to suppress journalism, often by restricting journalists through legislative measures and labelling them as "foreign agents," cutting access to independent media outlets, and blocking online websites and social media platforms (PBS). Such restrictions ensure that the Kremlin maintains near-total control over the flow of information, leaving citizens with few alternatives to state-approved narratives. 

This climate of censorship is reinforced by ownership structures, with Izvestia itself tied to Kremlin-aligned interests. The newspaper is currently owned by one of the largest Russian private media conglomerates known as the National Media Group (State Media Monitor). One of the main strategists of this media group is Yury Kovalchuk, a billionaire financier who is often described as President Vladimir Putin's "personal banker" and one of his closest confidants. Such ties ensure that Izvestia's coverage cannot be separated from the political and financial interests of those in power. The news source functions as a part of a broader media ecosystem designed to legitimize Kremlin policies, marginalize dissent, and reinforce the authority of the state. 

A video that explains the connection between Kovalchuk, Putin, and the NMG. 

These ownership ties directly influence how Izvestia executes its reporting, shaping both domestic and international news to align with Kremlin priorities. In its coverage of Russian politics, Izvestia consistently emphasizes government initiatives, policy announcements, and the achievements of state officials, while downplaying or ignoring dissenting voices. For example, during the 2021 anti-government protests supporting opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Izvestia minimized the size and significance of the demonstrations, portraying them as unsanctioned events influenced by foreign actors rather than legit domestic dissent. By contrast, independent and international news outlets highlighted the scale of the protests, the reasons behind them, and the mass arrest of participants. This selective reporting demonstrates how Izvestia's hard news coverage functions less as a source of unbiased information and more as a mechanism for reinforcing the Kremlin's preferred narratives. 

One example of this is in an article recently published by Izvestia, where Navalny is described by this quote:

"...Alexei Navalny (listed by Rosfinmonitoring in the register of organizations and individuals involved in extremist activities or terrorism)..." 

On the other hand, international news sources such as BBC, describe Navalny in a much different light succeeding his death in the following quote:

"Across the world, however, there was shock and anger, as tributes were paid to a man who some said gave his life standing up to Russia's all-powerful leader."

Izvestia's coverage of international events similarly reflects Kremlin priorities, particularly in its reporting on the war in Ukraine. The newspaper consistently refers to the conflict as a "special military operation" rather than a war or invasion, framing Russia's actions as defensive measures rather than acts of aggression. By presenting a selective narrative, Izvestia reinforces the Kremlin's portrayal of Russia as a responsible actor defending national interests, while casting Ukraine as aggressors. This demonstrates how the newspaper functions as a tool for promoting state-sanctioned interpretations of global events. 

Below are three examples of Izvestia's recent coverage on the Russia-Ukraine conflict:

        
Articles 1, 2, and 3.

Furthermore, here are three examples from a variety of international news sources on the Russia-Ukraine conflict:

        
Articles 1, 2, and 3

In addition to hard and international news, Izvestia also shapes public perception through feature stories and soft news that emphasize Russian culture, tradition, and national achievements. Articles often highlight scientific achievements, cultural events, or profiles of everyday citizens portrayed as patriotic, subtly reinforcing a sense of stability and pride in the nation. For example, Izvestia has published pieces celebrating Russian space exploration and military technology, presenting these accomplishments as evidence of national strength and global relevance. Even lifestyle and human-interest stories are carefully framed to reflect positively on the state, showcasing orderly cities, thriving industries, or the everyday successes of citizens living under government guidance. While these stories may seem apolitical on the surface, they contribute to a broader media strategy that reinforces the Kremlin’s narratives by presenting Russia as prosperous, capable, and unified, countering both dissent and negative portrayals in international media.

Here are some examples of these feature and soft news articles from Izvestia:

        

Articles 1, 2, and 3

Despite its broad coverage, Izvestia consistently omits or downplays certain stories, particularly those that challenge Kremlin authority. Topics such as anti-government protests, corruption, and the human cost of the war in Ukraine are either minimized or ignored entirely. These gaps highlight the limits of press freedom in Russia and underscore the importance of independent and international media in providing a fuller, more accurate picture of events. 

In conclusion, Izvestia demonstrates how Russian media operates under Kremlin influence. Its ownership, selective coverage of domestic and international news, emphasis on positive soft and feature stories, and omission of dissent all serve to promote state narratives. The newspaper primarily functions to shape public perception, highlighting the limits of press freedom in Russia.





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