|
Yeltsin surgery tests Russian media's new freedom
November 5, 1996
Web posted at: 4:30 a.m. EST (0930 GMT)From Correspondent Jackie Shymanski
MOSCOW (CNN) -- Heart surgery for President Boris Yeltsin is testing the new relationship between the Russian media and the post-Soviet Union government.
Officials at the Kremlin say that nothing is off limits in their society, that the government and press have a free exchange of information.
"No one in the new administration will tell you this subject is taboo," said Presidential Press Secretary Sergei Yastrzhembsky. "It should be discussed in public, but within the framework of decency and ethics."
Yastrzhembsky's thoughts are echoed by many Russian reporters but not so easily accepted by the international press corps.
Western reporters gripe that for months the Kremlin claimed Yeltsin suffered only from a cold or exhaustion, throwback lines from the Soviet era. The president's need for heart surgery was not officially acknowledged until Yeltsin himself announced it after months of speculation.
Even so, the amount of information has been substantial compared to Soviet days. The press and public were told nothing of the condition of leaders like Leonid Breshnev, who was sick for years before he died.
Indeed, Yeltsin's surgery produced a veritable cornucopia of information, with timely official statements on the operation's beginning and his temporary transfer of power to Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.
Still cautious
The Russian press is still adjusting to the relative openness. Nikolai Svanidze, host of one of the most popular political talk shows on Russian television, is hard-nosed when analyzing the sorry state of the Russian military and other societal problems. But he's still cautious on the issue of President Yeltsin's health.
"My self-censorship ... I'm accustomed to it because I am a child of Soviet society," said Svanidze. "Self-censorship takes places on a mental level. It's less than before, and is now dictated by common sense."
And most coverage remains careful. Self-censorship, many media members feel, is preferable to state censorship.
A notable exception is Itogi magazine and its analytical investigations of Yeltsin's condition.
Masha Lipman, Itogi's deputy editor, says the Russian press has a long way to go before earning its wings as a credible counterbalance to the Kremlin power structure.
"I think investigative reporting is not very well developed in this country," said Lipman. "Especially when applied to the top most political figure in the country's health."
Related stories:
- Russian president Yeltsin in surgery - November 5, 1996
- Source: Yeltsin surgery planned for Tuesday - November 4, 1996
- Russian politics, economy riding on outcome of Yeltsin surgery - November 4, 1996
- Poll: Most Muscovites don't think Yeltsin's in charge - November 1, 1996
- Yeltsin's foes call for top aide to resign - October 30, 1996
- Doctor says Yeltsin may have surgery next week - October 29, 1996
Special section:
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Dr. Michael E. DeBakey
- Interfax Homepage (Russian News Service)
- ITAR-Tass Homepage (Russian News Service)
- Russia Today
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.