Athletes have used the Olympics to deliver political messages in the past, writes Milana Knezevic
Will Olympians defy their protest ban and stand up for gay rights at Sochi?
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CATEGORY: Russia
A complete guide to who controls the Russian news media
Today’s surprise announcement out of Russia: The Russian government was shuttering external-facing news agencies Ria Novosti and Voice of Russia. But inside Russia, a growing web of cross ownership colours the way Russians view their neighbours. Olga Khvostunova explains in her report for Interpreter Magazine
What did Russia block this autumn?
Andrei Soldatov looks at the websites authorities have been censoring over the past months
Putin promises discrimination free Olympics – should you believe him?
Here are a few cases that show just how empty Putin’s promises are
Information agency to be closed down in Russia
A Russian court pulled the license of Rosbalt Information Agency after warnings over the use of “obscene” videos in its reports, Andrei Aliaksandrau reports
Putin’s cold calculation on Arctic drilling
Greenpeace prosecutions show the lengths the Russian president will go to to protect his oligarch friends, says Elena Vlasenko
Russia: We know what you blocked this summer
The major news in internet censorship in summer 2013 in Russia is a new law on copyright covering film, television and video productions. Andrei Soldatov reports
Bloodhound Gang under fire for desecration of Russian flag
A criminal case has been opened against American band the Bloodhound Gang in Russia, after bassist Jared Hannegan shoved a Russian flag down his trousers at a concert in Ukraine. Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said: "A...
Is Vladimir Putin changing his tune on human rights?
Are the Russian leader’s recent statements just spin or a sign of real change, asks Andrei Aliaksandrau
Seven politicians who take themselves way too seriously
After news agency AFP attempted to retract an unflattering photo of Francois Hollande, we look at politicians who have tried to censor images that make them look a bit silly