Join the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia for a lecture by Marina Stepanova, founder and editor-in-chief of Colta.ru, one of the most visible independent media resources in Russia, on today's Russian media.

Vladimir Putin’s war on independent media began soon after his ascent to power in 2000. However, the last phase of this war, in the aftermath of street protests of 2011-2012, led not only to closure or reconfiguration of existing media projects, but to a complete repurposing of media outlets as tools in the destruction of the field of public discussion. What is alive in the Russian media after 15 years of systematic demolition? What has happened to the TV channels, periodicals, and major publishing holdings of the 1990s, and what has come to replace them? How is the state splurging on propaganda, and what does it get in return? What choices are available to the independent media? Marina Stepanova will present her perspective on these issues.