In brief
Since its inception in 1946, BBC Russian has faced numerous challenges, including jamming and recent government crackdowns on information. Despite these obstacles, the service has evolved and adapted, reaching millions of Russians who seek objective news amid increasing censorship. The resilience of the BBC Russian team highlights the ongoing struggle for free journalism in an increasingly restricted digital landscape.
The Kremlin is tightening its grip over what Russians can do and see online, making it harder for outlets like the BBC to reach their audiences. For the past 80 years BBC Russian has sought to bypass those restrictions. The most recent constraints have included widespread mobile internet outages and plans to block messaging apps. The service started on March 24, 1946, aiming to provide listeners in the Soviet Union an alternative to state propaganda. By 1949, jamming of the signal was already the norm. Soviet audiences had to cleverly circumvent these blockades to hear the broadcasts. Natalia Rubinstein, a former presenter, recalls the lengths people went to listen to foreign news. Jamming was initially modeled after techniques used by Nazi Germany, and during the Cold War, the BBC repeated its broadcasts to ensure listeners could tune in at least once.The BBC's reported quality and timeliness during crises gave them a significant advantage over Russian state media and at times allowed them to bypass the jamming operations. For instance, the service managed to broadcast an emergency program when Soviet leader Brezhnev died in 1982, surprising jamming teams who were off duty.In the past few years, particularly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, BBC Russian has observed a significant increase in audience numbers, with a reach of over 10 million. However, the Russian government has targeted the service, blocking its website and labeling journalists as 'foreign agents,' akin to Soviet era tactics. Despite these hurdles, the current weekly audience has grown to 12 million as people continue to seek independent journalism.
