MEDIA AND DEMOCRATISATION: CHALLENGES OF THE 1990S

Abstract

The 1990s were an important time for experimentation and change in media policy in the emerging Russian Federation. Informed citizenry was a stated goal, but it coexisted with other strong currents, concerns about excessive and overly critical accounts functioning to endanger democratic prospects. Media law and policy was then also shaped to burnish electoral mandates or to help support particular visions of the post-Soviet society. Important experiments included the Presidential Judicial Chamber on Information Disputes and the Treaty of Public Accord.