Obama might be snubbing Sochi, but these lesser-known politicians should get their share of the spotlight
Who are Putin’s Olympic guests?
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CATEGORY: Russia
Russia’s Winter Olympics: A fake show of LGBT tolerance
Drawing a screen around the realities of life for gay Russians, President Vladimir Putin and the organizers of the Sochi Winter Olympic games are presenting a decidedly friendly face to international visitors. Elena Vlasenko reports
Russian Olympic censorship combats Putin’s slipping domestic image
Media will face increased restrictions in the build up to the Winter Games in Sochi as Russian president Vladimir Putin tries to rehabilitate a damaged domestic reputation
David Satter: US journalist expelled by Russia speaks to Index on Censorship
Radio Liberty adviser describes “Kafkaesque” intrigues behind his exclusion from Russia. Padraig Reidy reports
Will Olympians defy their protest ban and stand up for gay rights at Sochi?
Athletes have used the Olympics to deliver political messages in the past, writes Milana Knezevic
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...
