Responsibility for Media Content and the Problem of Censoring the Communication Space of Russia

Abstract

The article examines the Russian media discourse around the authorities’ significant legislative initiatives of the last two years concerning the media. In the context of law enforcement practice, the author of the article draws attention to the problems of censoring the new communication space created by social networks, instant messengers and algorithmic digital media platforms. These problems often include the lack of a clear delineation of concepts, for example, such as “insulting the authorities” and “fair criticism”, the level of forensic expertise and the “human factor” of Roskomnadzor. The article expresses the idea that the increasing number of laws related to media content is associated with the speed of digital communication transformations, which exceeds the authorities’ adaptive capabilities. In parallel with tightening legislation in the direction of control over online media platforms, the author also notes that the government appeals to digital platforms users as allies in the fight for content purity. Summing up the data of discourse analysis, media content analysis, as well as my own experience of participating in court proceedings as an expert linguist, the author concluded that the political effects of the adoption of laws on the media might not be related to the political objectives of the authorities, since they contrast with the values of a particular part of society.