The authorities wish to turn [oppositional] Echo Moskvi
[radio station] into an echo of the [pro-governmental] Channel
One. Replacements in the Board of Directors of this radio
station is a step in this direction. It is a direct state
pressure on the media, and not only on Echo Moskvi. This is
a warning demonstrating to the Russian citizens what will
happen after presidential elections.
This step is made now because the situation in the country
and in the society has been changing. It is not surprising
that the reaction [of the authorities] is reprisals. The authorities
simply have not had any other experience. And we should be
ready to such a reaction.
But the key thing in this situation is that the movement
that has begun in the society can not be halted by either
reprisals or bribing habitual for the authorities.
People want freedom and have begun to realize that their
personal freedom, independence, self-reliance are impossible
without political freedom, without modern competitive policies
The crack down will not stop the formation of this need.
On the opposite, the more they extend the crackdown, the
more obvious it is that there is a shortage of freedom. And
the need for freedom will only grow. This is the logics of
our history.
What is happening with Echo Moskvi shows that we are facing
serious hardships and hard work.
See also:
Freedom
of Speech
Presidential
Elecitons 2012
State Duma
Elections 2011
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