In the last two weeks, TaRC researchers have been regularly used as experts in local media’s coverage of the war in Ukraine. Our scholars have given audiences valuable insights into different aspects of Russian media in these dire times.
Two days after the Russian attack on Ukraine, Professor Sanna Turoma was interviewed by the local newspaper Aamulehti. She was queried about the main independent media in Russia offering counter-narratives to the state propaganda. Her listing of the main independent outlets can be read here (in Finnish).
On March 3, Academy of Finland Fellow Saara Ratilainen was contacted by Aamulehti to give her views on reactions to the war on social media platforms in Russia.
According to Dr Ratilainen, “popular culture [in Russia] politicized very strongly in a few days” after the war started on February 24. Many entertainers and influencers voiced their protest against the attack on increasingly popular social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Dr Ratilainen said that the openly political nature of many messages came as a surprise to her. Earlier, celebrities had had a more covert way of expressing their opinions. You can read the full interview here (in Finnish).
Yesterday (March 10), Aamulehti covered the key points of the latest edition of Online Talks on Russian Media, which focused on the state and future of independent media in Russia amidst tightening state restrictions.
Dr Katja Lehtisaari acted as TaRC’s expert commentator in the story and noted that “one option for independent Russian media is to move their operations abroad like Meduza has done [Meduza moved to Latvia in 2014]”.
The full story is available here (in Finnish) for Aamulehti subscribers only.
TaRC scholars continue to keep a close eye on the events in Ukraine, and their media coverage. We will post about their future media appearances here as well.