TODAY: State-television slander of opposition sparks immediate protest in Moscow and up to 100 detentions; Esquire editor fined; less than half of Russians believe election results; Astrakhan hunger strike; Obama administration to boost funding for Russian democracy; protesters gather in Kazan for Nazarov. 

‘Anatomy of a Protest’, last week’s NTV documentary about opposition rallies, caused a storm after many accused the channel of spreading false information, including the notion that protesters are paid to take part in opposition rallies.  The documentary sparked a spontaneous and immediate protest in Moscow, with up to 100 people being detained outside the Ostankino television tower at the 500-1,000-strong unsanctioned gathering.  Many came out to prove their mettle: ‘They say we came for money. It’s not true […] I came out for free earlier, and I’m here for free today,’ said one.  The outrage could lead to a collective lawsuit against the channel; media holding Expert says it will break ties with NTV due to the documentary’s ‘cheap propagandist work’.  RFE/RL has footage of the protest and detentions.  Boris Nemtsov was among those arrested: ‘Putin’s most important weapons are lies and propaganda and they are just as effective at protecting him as police batons,’ he said.  Nemtsov and Sergei Udaltsov are helping to organise a ‘March of the Millions’ on May 6 to protest the inauguration of Vladimir Putin.  A second detainee death was reported last week, as a 100-strong unsanctioned rally held in Kazan yesterday to protest the death of Sergei Nazarov in custody led to ten detentions.