MEMO 98, in cooperation with the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations, the informational and analytical center of the Russian Union of Journalists, has been systematically monitoring the coverage of the Russian political scene in the selected media.

The monitoring seeks to evaluate the mass media’s performance in providing an objective portrayal of public affairs and in disseminating balanced information about the most important political developments in the society. The project’s findings will be determined through a well-defined and rigorous methodology and are not intended to support any political party, but the integrity of the political and media environment as a whole.

On March 1, MEMO 98 and Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations commenced the monitoring of five TV channels (State controlled First Channel, Russia TV and TV Center; two nationwide channels NTV and Ren TV) and four newspapers (two State newspapers Rossijskaja Gazeta and Parlamentskaja Gazeta and two private newspapers Kommersant and Novaja Gazeta) using qualitative and quantitative analysis. Quantitative analysis measures the total amount of time and space devoted to relevant political subjects in the monitored media outlets. The qualitative analysis evaluates whether the information about political subjects, the president and the government is positive, negative, or neutral in its content. After four weeks of monitoring, MEMO 98 and Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations did not find discernable differences between the media’s portrayal of the political subjects, the president and the government. Following is the first of reports that Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations will be issuing periodically.

Attachments:
 Full report (in English)
 Full report (in Russian)
 Charts -- Nationwide channels
 Charts -- Regional channels