ABSTRACT
Television is immensely important in Russian elections on two fronts. First, given a dearth of party organization and longevity, Russian voters must rely on television for a great deal of information in a campaign. Although television provides important voting cues in developed societies, in Russia it is often not just an augmentation, but in fact the central source of the party’s identity. At the same time, many Russians look to television, particularly state-run channels, to lead them in their political decisions. It is this combination that makes the role of television so important in the attempt to hold democratic elections in Russia. In general, Russian television has failed to become a democratic leader. Although electoral law mandates fair coverage and commercial television has provided a wavering voice for the government opposition, Russians have not been able to rely on television as a disinterested political player. Russian television has taken sides in all elections, and the result is a media system that serves political masters rather than the public.
