(Paper delivered at international conference Russia and Europe: Topical Issues of Contemporary International Journalism in Paris on November 24, 2011)
The remarkable similarity of negative stereotypes of Russia on both the right and left ends of Europe’s media spectrum reflects the perception that Russia belongs to a tradition that is both alien and unworthy of multiculturalist tolerance. This is an unreasoning phobia that goes beyond mere rhetoric. Its cause is not in any misunderstanding of the Russian mindset and tradition. Quite the contrary: the media class antagonism is due to the accurate assessment by its editorial echelons that Russia as such is an obstacle to the realization of their political, economic, cultural and ideological preferences in the modern world. The unforgivable sin of the Russians, in the eyes of the Western media elite, is that they are still defined by their ethnic, cultural and religious identity. In spite of almost a century of horrendous ordeals and tribulations, Russia is still a recognizable nation, rooted in the continuity of its culture, faith, and collective memories – perhaps the last major European nation which is still recognizably itself in the face of postmodern challenges.
