ABSTRACT
At first glance, it would appear that the contemporary Russian media have little to do with the austere, often drab media environment of the Soviet Union. There is a wide range of publications available at kiosks in the capital and throughout Russia. On television, the major news shows feature state-of-the-art sets, slick young presenters and a faster pace than the Soviet news programs. There is both state-run and commercial media, including non-state television, that provide original shows produced in Russia, films from around the globe and a more Westernized news format complete with short bulletins and snappy graphics. Nor is there a dearth of campaign messages, as political parties and candidates can air their views in paid political advertising, free broadcast time on state-run media outlets and in free space in state publications. Radio stations continue to broadcast, although more with music than news or political chat. While the use of the Internet in Russia lags behind Europe and the rest of the developed world, there is wide availability of political information both from home and abroad on the Web.
