ABSTRACT
There are many generally accepted mechanisms of mass media accountability to the public in Russia. The Public Board on Complaints About Mass Media (equivalent to media councils in European countries), professional codes of ethics, media criticism in the printed press and through radio channels, a number of professional journals, online instruments encouraging openness and involving the public, the online ombudsmen and a developed network of higher educational institutions training new professionals in the sphere of journalism, as well as other accountability mechanisms, generally comply with worldwide practices. However, the specific characteristics of the Russian media system – described by researchers as a state-and-commercial hybrid – have a strong impact on the infrastructure of media accountability in Russia, resulting in typical features and weaknesses.
