Too much good news?

• Position: NEWS & TRENDS - Russian News Service - Brief article

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RUSSIA

Journalists at a Russian radio network were shocked this spring by orders from their new bosses: At least 50 percent of their reports about Russia, they were told, must be positive. Russian News Service (RNS) was Russia's largest independent radio network before its takeover by businesses loyal to the Kremlin, the seat of Russian government. In addition to the good-news quota, RNS reporters said they were told not to mention Russian opposition leaders and to portray the U.S. as an enemy. It's one more setback for the media in Russia, where TV networks and major newspapers are state-controlled, and Parliament is considering state control of...