Russia’s Regional Media Largely Continue to Operate Below Moscow’s Radar Screen, Kharatyan Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 18 – Most media outlets still open in the Russian capital operate under the close supervision of the Russian authorities, but those at the regional level in many cases continue to operate below Moscow’s radar screen largely because they do not make attempts to “independently cover” federal issues, Kirill Kharatyan says.

            “By focusing on local issues,” the media specialist at The Moscow Times says, “they aim to earn the trust of readers and satisfy the demand for objective local information, a need central publications by definition cannot meet” (ru.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/18/media-v-emigratsii-i-v-rossii-adaptatsiya-k-realnosti-vo-vremya-voini-a201173).

            Such media, he continues, “often function without registering as a legal entity or obtaining a formal media license. Frequently, they do not even register their telegram channels with the Moscow authorities. In this way, they strive to attract as little attention as possible from federal officials and politicians.

            In addition, these “outlets often enjoy the support of a loya and active readership that contributes in various ways, including financially;” and they often are provided with leads by readers. Their relationships with local elites are “unique.” Some regional elites are even supportive because they see such media as useful to themselves.

            But what is critical is that “most regional and local authorities turn a blind eye to the activities of regional media.” Whether this will continue is very much an open question; but as of now, regional outlets do provide the kind of news most central ones don’t, including on occasion coverage of issues that Moscow doesn’t allow Moscow outlets to produce.