Evening Standard to be acquired by the Russian ex-spy

Interesting development in the world of media- with some international ratifications. 

 

Russian ex-KGB agent- turned oligarch Alexander Lebedev is buying a UK newspaper, the Evening Standard.  I say "ex-KGB agent", but as they say, once a spy, always a spy…

 

This is a noteworthy acquisition for several reasons.  London-Moscow relationships have been at their all time low for the last couple of years.  It is a bit surprising then that the sale was approved, in fact.  One also has to remember the time period in the late 90s-early 00's when the Russian papers were controlled by the various oligarchs, resulting in some pretty biased reporting.  But at least there was variety in whose biased opinions you wanted to read.  After Putin came to power, of course, the ownership/ control of the papers got consolidated in Kremlin, so now there is only one bias- the one amenable to Kremlin (with the exception of Nezavisimaya Gazeta, which is now the only significant voice of opposition in the Russian media).  

 

Of course, even if the Evening Standard has to tame its views on Russia to reflect its new ownership, with the diverse media in the UK, there is little fear that the freedom of press will be compromised.  Unless, of course, other oligarchs follow suit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/14/russian-oligarch-alexander-lebedev-buy-london-evening-standard