Two centuries of Russian journalism before 1917

This chapter explores the decisive role of European press traditions in shaping the development of Russian journalism before the 1917 Revolution. From the eighteenth century onward, European models – particularly from France, Germany, and England – served as primary sources of inspiration for Russian publishers. This chapter examines how these foreign formats, genres, and business models were systematically transferred and adapted within the Russian context. It identifies four distinct periods of engagement with European press systems, demonstrating that the evolution of Russian journalism cannot be understood without reference to these international influences. At the same time, this chapter argues that the Russian press, while deeply indebted to European precedents, followed a distinctive path shaped by the empire’s unique political and cultural conditions. Especially in the absence of stable political institutions, journalism in Russia took on a specific political and civic function. By synthesizing earlier historical research and proposing a new periodization of cross-cultural influence, this chapter highlights how European journalism provided both a structural foundation and a catalyst for innovation in Russia’s print media landscape.