Too successful?

News about media in Russia may indicate the balance of power in a market divided between state media; private, but state-loyal outlets; politically neutral media and critical sources.

Panama punishment?
This week RBC, owned by Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov and one of the most successful neutral media, found itself under what many perceived as pressure from the authorities.

Although it was the critical opposition media flagship Novaya Gazeta that made the Russian contribution to the Panama Papers investigation, RBC relayed Novaya’s results, most notably the names of President Putin’s personal friends.

Offices raided
When offices of Prokhorov’s companies were raided last week, Russian media speculated that the raids were a message to the oligarch that a red line had been crossed for Russia’s most popular online media.

While many focused on the raids as a political warning sign, two anonymous sources quoted by independent TV Dozhd interpreted the raids as pressure on Mr Prokhorov to sell RBC, which is successful, but also heavily indebted.