Truth a la Russe:the Russian Media from Gorbachev to Putin

In only a short 25-year period, the Russian media landscape has witnessed a move from communist censorship to an explosion of free speech and independent media, and then on to state sponsored propaganda and trolling.  Russia’s turbulent modern history and its relationship with the rest of the world is best explained by the development of its media and its ever changing relationship to what is called “reality.” By studying the Russian example, we will draw lessons about the role of journalism and propaganda in our own societies. We will discuss various aspects of media business, and students will develop an insider's perspective on political developments and entrepreneurship challenges in contemporary Russian society.