The future of democracy is seen by many as uncertain, particularly in Russia. Consequently, the prospects for the freedom and independence of the media cannot be considered outside this context. This article provides initial insights into the factors that facilitate and constrain the ability of one the most influential media – television – to be an instrument of democracy. Contrasting the original Russian voices with the key perspectives established in the seminal western literature, it points out several common conclusions, namely, that ‘publicness’ is an essential characteristic of free and independent television, that informational pluralism cannot be maintained without combining the market and the non-market regulatory practices in the broadcasting sphere, and that new media, community media, Internet discussion groups and other ‘alternative’ forums may not replace public television but can meaningfully complement its functions.
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