State media of Tatarstan refused to publish the campaign material by the candidate for the State Duma from Yabloko because of his phrase about Vladimir Putin
Press Release, 15.09.2021
Photo: Ruslan Zinatullin
The state-owned newspapers “Respublika Tatarstan” and “Vatanym Tatarstan” refused to publish campaign material by Ruslan Zinatullin, candidate for the State Duma from Yabloko in constituency No.31 (the city of Kazan). The reason was the slogan of Zinatullin: “Against Putin, swindlers and thieves!”
The editorial board of the “Respublika Tatarstan” believes that this phrase contains some “elements of an ambiguous associative line”, which may be an insult to the President. The editorial board of the “Vatanym Tatarstan” newspaper claims that the phrase about Vladimir Putin, swindlers and thieves is extremist.
Ruslan Zinatullin submitted his material for free campaigning (as envisaged by the law) to both newspapers two weeks ago, but the question of the content of the material arose only now, on the threashold of the voting.
Posted: September 15th, 2021 under Elections, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, State Duma Elections, State Duma Elections 2021, Yabloko's Regional Branches.