Izvestia
**Izvestia** (Russian: Известия, meaning "the news" or "tidings") is a Russian daily broadsheet newspaper first published in February 1917. The name derives from the verb *izveshchat* ("to inform"), and originally referred to an official messenger bringing news.
During the Soviet era, Izvestia was the official organ of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, used to disseminate state propaganda. While the Communist Party’s views were expressed through *Pravda*, Izvestia represented the stance of the Soviet government, published by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. Over its history, the newspaper underwent numerous name changes reflecting shifts in governing bodies—from the Petrograd Soviet to the Central Executive Committee and, after 1977, the Soviets of People's Deputies. Between 1969 and 1996, the Izvestia Trophy ice hockey tournament was named after the paper. Its weekend supplement was called *Nedelya*.
After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Izvestia dropped the long official title and began calling itself a "national newspaper" of Russia. It was initially owned by a holding company linked to Vladimir Potanin, which had close ties to the government. In June 2005, state-owned Gazprom purchased a controlling stake and placed the paper under its Gazprom Media holding. That same year, editor-in-chief Raf Shakirov was forced to resign—according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, because officials disliked coverage of the Beslan school hostage crisis; other sources said Potanin asked him to leave over fears the Kremlin would be angered by explicit photographs of the massacre. Circulation in 2005 was 240,967; by 2007 it had risen to 371,000 copies (certified by TNS Gallup Media). Until his death in October 2008, the chief artist was Boris Yefimov, a centenarian who had worked as Joseph Stalin’s political cartoonist. In 2008, Gazprom Media sold Izvestia to the National Media Group. In May 2024, the European Union placed the newspaper on its sanctions list, accusing it of spreading propaganda.
Lore & Background
Izvestia is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Russia. Its name derives from the Russian word for "bring news" or "tidings," rooted in the verb meaning "to inform." The paper was first established in February 1917. During the Soviet era, it served as the official organ of the Supreme Soviet, disseminating state propaganda, particularly regarding foreign relations. While *Pravda* represented the Communist Party, *Izvestia* expressed the views of the Soviet government. Its name and subtitle changed multiple times between 1917 and 1991, reflecting shifts in the governing bodies it represented, such as the Petrograd Soviet and the Central Executive Committee. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the newspaper rebranded itself as a "national newspaper" of Russia. It was owned by a holding company with close government ties before a controlling stake was purchased by the state-owned Gazprom in 2005. In 2008, it was sold to the National Media Group. The newspaper’s weekend supplement was called *Nedelya*. An ice hockey tournament, the Izvestia Trophy, was named after the paper from 1969 to 1996. In May 2024, the European Union placed *Izvestia* on its sanctions list, accusing it of spreading propaganda.
Reader's Guide
Izvestia's significance lies in its role as a key state propaganda organ during the Soviet period, representing the official views of the Soviet government as distinct from the Communist Party's Pravda. Its name changes reflect the evolving political structures of the USSR. After the Soviet collapse, Izvestia transitioned to a national newspaper but remained tied to powerful state and corporate interests, as seen in its ownership by Gazprom and later National Media Group. Controversies such as the forced resignation of its editor-in-chief over Beslan coverage highlight ongoing tensions between press freedom and government influence. The newspaper's legacy includes its historical role in Soviet media, its adaptation to post-Soviet Russia, and its enduring association with state narratives.
Did You Know?
- The word izvestiya means 'bring news' or 'tidings' in Russian.
- During the Soviet period, Izvestia expressed the official views of the Soviet government, while Pravda was the mouthpiece of the Communist Party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Izvestia's official role in the USSR?
During the Soviet period, Izvestia acted as the designated newspaper of the Supreme Soviet, the country's top legislative body. Its core function was to broadcast the government's official positions and state-directed messaging to the reading public.
How does Izvestia differ from Pravda?
Although both were major Soviet-era dailies, Izvestia represented the Supreme Soviet (the state government), while Pravda was the voice of the Communist Party itself. This institutional split meant their editorial mandates and allegiances were distinct.
What happened to Izvestia after the Soviet Union dissolved?
Following the breakup of the USSR, Izvestia rebranded itself as a 'national newspaper' of the Russian Federation. It shifted away from its strict state-propaganda role into a more independent broadsheet operating in the post-Soviet media landscape.
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