The Propaganda War: Opposition Sings Kremlin Tune on Ukraine
The propaganda war in the Ukraine crisis has spawned a renewal Russian nationalism, with members of the opposition and the intellectual class suddenly praising President Putin. Many in Russia are accepting the Kremlin's official line uncritically.
By Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp in Moscow
Perhaps Alexander Byvshev was a little naïve. Maybe he thought his small village was somehow a safe haven from the world of global politics. But how wrong he was.
Byvshev, a German teacher in the district of Orlov, recently opened up his local newspaper, Sarya, or "the dawn," only to find his name featured in a prominent slot. "In these troubled times, when enemies outside the country are showing their teeth and preparing to take the leap of death, you can find people who would like to undermine Russia from within," the newspaper wrote. "People like A. Byvshev."
How did Byvshev wind up in the newspaper? All it took was a short poem he wrote and posted on VK, Russia's popular social network answer to Facebook. He had directed the poem at "patriot cheerleaders" who uncritically follow Moscow's propaganda. "From a very early age, I have been accustomed to not telling lies," Byvshev says. "If Russia stole Crimea from Ukraine, then one has to speak openly about the fact that it was theft."
'No Place for Patriots Like This in Russia'
It's an openness that hasn't done him much good recently. "There's No Place for Patriots Like This in Russia," blared the headline of the article about Byvshev. Acquaintances stopped greeting him, local businesses began ignoring his presence and now the local regional prosecutor is threatening to press charges against him for "incitement to hatred." He faces two years behind bars if convicted.
MORE...
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/in-moscow-propaganda-war-even-opposition-is-singing-kremlin-tune-a-965487.html#ref=nl-international