Medvedev vs. Russian Students = 0:1 - New Media and the Changing Dynamics of Accountability in Russia

As IREX launches its Promoting New Media and Media Convergence in Russia program, examples of how new media is changing the nature of communications and media continually appear. The new generation of Russians is completely entrenched in new media and is now learning how to influence public opinion (both in good and not so good ways) in the country. A recent scandal surrounding President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to the Moscow University School of Journalism offers proof of this evolving environment.

In October, President Medvedev decided to meet a group of supporters at the largest Russian university campus in the School of Journalism building that, as his press officer said, is the closest to the Kremlin. It’s interesting to note that President Medvedev prefers traveling to the closest building due to an online campaign initiated by a group of Russian drivers opposed to street closures when the President or Prime Minister travel in Moscow. This group started a blog campaign which has apparently influenced the Kremlin and, at least, the driving routes of the President.

Whatever the reason for choosing this building and this audience, it soon appeared to be a mistake. MSU’s School of Journalism is considered one of the most liberal Russian entities, with young professors teaching students the values of free and independent media not widely seen outside the campus these days. It also is not lost on students that a large number of alumni have been murdered or harassed in Russia for their work.

The students thought that the modern and technology-loving President would meet with them to have the first real uncensored, face-to-face dialogue about Russian problems and possibly even freedom of the press. Instead the Russian equivalent of the Secret Service arrived at the university and locked out most of the students, barring them from the building and conference room. Instead, a group of government loyalists and other presidential supporters were brought in to meet with the president.

However, a group of students were already in the building and some of their supporters gathered outside. When they realized they were not invited they organized flash mobs yelling opposition slogans demanding a free press and the release of political prisoners while Medvedev was passing nearby. Those on the street put together small banners they waved in front of the entrance to the building. The students were quickly and roughly taken away by the Secret Service and some were locked in one of the auditoriums, while others were brought to the local police station.

This is not the end of the story, but rather the beginning. Being journalism students (many of them work or intern at Russian media outlets) they quickly sent out SMS’s, tweets, emails and other messages about their detention, about Medvedev not actually meeting with the students but just using the campus to meet with supporters, and about the harsh actions of the Security Service, who even threatened the students with expulsion for their behavior.

The students’ knowledge of Russia’s dynamic social networks and blogs helped get the word out about their frustrations. Most online news outlets started reporting on the incident almost immediately (some even live) and a number of independent traditional media outlets followed suit. The scandal gained such significance that a number of Russian and international news outlets including federal TV channels in Russia and even the New York Times reported on it.

The School of Journalism’s dean and its former dean, now President of the School, gave extended interviews to Russian newspapers and one TV channel explaining what happened. They confirmed that no student would be punished for their actions.

Several days after the event, President Medvedev’s press officer announced that Medvedev wants to come back to the School of Journalism again, but this time he will meet with the students. This might seem to be an insignificant comment but in today’s Russia it is an unprecedented act of responsiveness to pressure started by social media.

It does not matter when or how the president will meet with the students, who will be invited or how it will all work out, but it is already apparent that a group of students with cell phones, Twitter, Facebook and Livejournal (Russia’s leading blogging platform) can sometimes achieve more than the professional journalists of the past.

Moscow State University School of Journalism is a partner of the USAID-funded program Promoting New Media and Media Convergence in Russia, which is implemented by IREX. Michael Mirny is the Chief of Party of the program.