Russian media: Inflation talks but censorship still taboo
British journalist Steve Rosenberg, in a video posted on platform X, presented a detailed analysis of the Russian press. He pointed out that there is open discussion about issues such as Russia's economic problems and acts of censorship. However, there are topics that are never raised.
As the journalist indicates, "Moskovsky Komsomolets" writes about "price fever" on the front page. "In 2025, inflation is shaping up to be a serious challenge for the economy as well as for ordinary Russians. Everything around us continues to become more expensive: vegetables, housing and utility bills, medicines, transportation," can be read in the aforementioned publication.
Meanwhile, in the weekly "Argumenty i Fakty," a chart is presented showing that over the past year, milk prices have risen by almost 20 percent, as have apple prices, with cucumber prices up by 22 percent, beets by 32 percent, butter by 35 percent, cabbage by 42 percent, onions by 46 percent, and potato prices by over 90 percent.
Not only high prices, but also "acts of censorship"
However, the newspapers speak not only of high prices. An article appeared in "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" about a performance in a theater in Novosibirsk based on a play by 19th-century Russian playwright Alexander Sukhovo-Kobylin. The described story is said to appear "like an act of censorship."
This satirical drama about a bribe given to a government official suddenly disappeared from the theater's repertoire, according to an analysis by a Russian BBC News editor. According to media reports cited by him, the play was allegedly removed from the program at the explicit recommendation of the security agency. The journalistic material suggests that the decision was preceded by a complaint from a dissatisfied viewer.
As Steve Rosenberg points out, the practice of canceling performances based on a denunciation is unacceptable and represents a glaring violation of the constitution, possibly even an abuse of power or overstepping of authority. Censorship in Russia is prohibited, he emphasizes.
"There are topics that are not addressed"
Summarizing his material, the British journalist emphasized that such articles show that despite the strict restrictions under which Russian media currently operate, there is still room for criticism of certain issues happening in the country.
However, as he points out, there are certain topics that are never addressed—newspapers do not feature direct criticism of Vladimir Putin or articles questioning the war in Ukraine.
