Izvestia
**Izvestia** (Russian: Известия, meaning "the news" or "tidings") is a daily broadsheet newspaper in Russia. The word derives from the verb *izveshchat* ("to inform" or "notify"), and originally referred to an official messenger bringing news.
Founded in February 1917, the paper covered foreign relations. During the Soviet era, Izvestia was the official organ of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, publishing state propaganda. In contrast, *Pravda* served as the mouthpiece of the Communist Party. Over its history, the newspaper underwent numerous name changes reflecting shifts in its governing bodies—from the Petrograd Soviet to the Central Executive Committee and, later, the Supreme Soviet. Between 1969 and 1996, the Izvestia Trophy ice hockey tournament was named after the paper. Its weekend supplement was called *Nedelya*.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the paper dropped its long official title and became simply *Izvestia*, describing itself as a "national newspaper" of Russia. It was initially owned by a holding company controlled by Vladimir Potanin, which had close ties to the government. In June 2005, state-owned Gazprom purchased a controlling stake and placed it within the Gazprom Media holding. That same year, editor-in-chief Raf Shakirov was forced to resign—according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, because government officials objected to the paper’s coverage of the Beslan school hostage crisis; other sources said Potanin asked him to leave over fears the Kremlin would be angered by the explicit photographs of the massacre that *Izvestia* published. The paper’s circulation in 2005 was 240,967; by 2007 it had risen to 371,000 copies, as certified by TNS Gallup Media. Until his death in October 2008, the chief artist was Boris Yefimov, a centenarian illustrator 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 accused the newspaper of spreading propaganda and placed it on its sanctions list.
Lore & Background
Izvestia, whose title translates to “bring news” or “tidings,” is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Russia. It first appeared in February 1917. During the Soviet era, the newspaper served as the official organ of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, primarily disseminating state propaganda and covering foreign relations. Its name derives from the Russian verb *izveshchat*, meaning “to inform” or “to notify,” and the word *izvestiya* historically referred to an official messenger bringing news. The newspaper’s appearance has evolved; early issues used two letters from the pre-reform Russian alphabet, which are no longer in use. Over its history, Izvestia underwent numerous name changes reflecting shifts in its governing body, from the Petrograd Soviet to the Central Executive Committee and later the Supreme Soviet. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it rebranded as a “national newspaper” of Russia. The newspaper was owned by a holding company with close government ties before a controlling stake was purchased by the state-owned Gazprom in 2005. Its circulation in 2005 was reported at 240,967, rising to 371,000 copies by 2007. A defining characteristic is its long association with political illustration; its chief artist until 2008 was Boris Yefimov, a centenarian cartoonist who had worked as Joseph Stalin’s political cartoonist. In 2008, ownership transferred to the National Media Group. In 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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