The messenger of the state: the complex history of Russia's Izvestia
In short: Born in the chaos of 1917, Izvestia has spent over a century serving as a vital instrument of official communication. From Soviet propaganda to its current role as a national newspaper, its evolution reflects the shifting tides of Russian political power.
The name Izvestia is derived from the Russian verb 'izveshchat', meaning to notify or inform. In its earliest form, the word functioned as a 'herald'—an official messenger tasked with bringing news. This sense of official duty was embedded in the publication's DNA from its founding in February 1917, when it emerged as the organ of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
Throughout the Soviet era, the newspaper occupied a specific niche in the state's media hierarchy. While the newspaper Pravda acted as the mouthpiece for the Communist Party, Izvestia was responsible for expressing the official views of the Soviet government, specifically as published by the Presimidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Over the decades, its masthead underwent numerous transformations, reflecting the changing structures of the Soviet committees and councils.
The transition from the Soviet Union to modern Russia brought new complexities to its ownership and editorial independence. After the dissolution of the USSR, the paper was owned by Vladimir Potanin's holding company before a controlling stake was purchased by the state-owned Gazprom on June 3, 2005. This era was marked by significant controversy; allegations surfaced that editor-in-chief Raf Shakirov was forced to resign due to the paper's graphic coverage of the Beslan school hostage crisis, which reportedly angered government officials.
Today, Izvestia describes itself as a 'national newspaper' of Russia. Its reach has fluctuated, with circulation recorded at approximately 240,967 in 2005 and rising to 371,000 in 2007. However, its role as a state-aligned medium remains a point of international contention, leading the European Union to place the newspaper on its sanctions list in May 2024 for its role in spreading propaganda.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Izvestia
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