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Monday
April 21, 2008

Correction: Vladimir Putin is a vindictive Mack

Male Jim Treacher | Category: Media • Women
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A Russian tabloid that published a story claiming that President Vladimir Putin had left his wife to marry a 24-year-old former Olympic gymnast suspended operations on Friday, sparking fresh criticism about withering press freedoms in Russia.

"We proved that Russia is not a democracy," Igor Dudinsky, first deputy editor of Moskovsky Korrespondent, which ran the story earlier this month, said Sunday.


--The Moscow Times

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Comments

Jim, while I appreciate the story, this is not really news. Putin and his KGB goons almost poisoned to death the newly - elected President of the Ukraine, and murdered the former KGB operative in London (who was also critical of Russia), by the same means. Add to that the reality of numerous journalists murdered on the streets of Moscow, whose cases have never been solved (quel surprise). Too many other voices have been summarily jailed, tortured and murdered as well. Any opposition voices are immediately harrassed and in quick order are put into mortal danger - just ask Putin's only remaining political opponent, the former Chess champion Kasparov.

Comment by Dmac on April 21, 2008 7:32 AM

How is it not news?

Comment by Treach on April 21, 2008 8:43 AM

But it kind of is news. A state shutting down a newspaper for whatever reason is news - especially when it's Russia which is supposed to be all reformed and everything.

Comment by Zelda on April 21, 2008 2:07 PM

It's not really news because this kind of press repression has been going on for years at this point - just more grist for the mill.

Comment by Dmac on April 21, 2008 3:35 PM

Well then, I guess I won't say anything about it ever again. Sorry, Dmac.

Comment by Treach on April 21, 2008 6:47 PM

It's still news. Every time they do it. Because of the repression and stuff. I'm feeling stubborn about this because I don't think it's reported enough.

Comment by Zelda on April 21, 2008 9:27 PM

Did I get erased?

Comment by James Wiggum on April 22, 2008 12:04 AM