Russian Journalists Resign Over Censorship

From the Guardian:

A group of journalists at a state-controlled broadcast news agency in Russia have resigned en masse in one of the few open rebellions in recent years against censorship imposed by the Kremlin. Eight reporters from the Russian News Service said they could not work under new rules that required them not to interview or mention opposition leaders such as Garry Kasparov and to ensure 50% coverage of “positive news”. … With the exception of one vibrant radio station, Ekho Moskvy, Russia’s broadcast media has largely been transformed into a propaganda machine since Mr Putin came to power in 2000. Yesterday, about 300 demonstrators gathered in Moscow to protest against the increasing censorship. Artyom Khan, one of the reporters who resigned, said restrictions were introduced when new management was imported last month from Channel One, the state television station that documents Mr Putin’s every move.