current event #5

article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russian-tv-attack-draws-angry-protests/2012/03/18/gIQA80PmKS_story.html

"Russian TV program draws protests from Putin critics"
With Putin's recent "reelection" to the presidency, there is no shortage of evidence that he will continue on his current path of restricting civil liberties and consolidating power in the Russian government. This article outlined one example of such restriction, namely that a "documentary" television program was created and shown specifically to attack those who have protested against Putin in recent weeks. The program, "Anatomy of a Protest", was shown on the NTV channel and claimed that citizens had been bribed or coerced to protest against Putin, though there is no evidence that these claims have any basis in truth.

The "documentary" is an example of the propaganda that surrounds Putin in the media and pop culture in Russia. It also illustrates Putin's continued intentions to restrict the media, especially in light of the fact that the television channel that aired the program (NTV) was previously a very independent and liberal organization until Putin's ascendancy to power in 2000. There was some protest by citizens over the airing of the program, though witnesses reportedly stated that they were afraid of the police and consequences, statements which only enhance the idea that legitimacy in Russia is declining, especially with Putin in the presidency once again.