Ethnic relations in the news agenda of Russian TV channels

Russia looking for a way in nation-building, other than the multiculturalism policy of the European Union. The search for these complicated Soviet legacy, when ethnic conflicts have been swept under the carpet and not covered by the mass media. Beginning in 2010, ethnic clashes, not only in the capital but also in the regions so frequent that do not notice them anymore. Riots on Manezh Square near the Kremlin became the first ethnic clash that was widely covered by all federal TV channels and was the starting point for the formation of Russia's new media policy in the coverage of national issues. The present study focuses on the content analysis of the communications of federal and local TV channels on the theme of ethnic relations, as well as the reactions of the viewers on this agenda in the newscasts. The results are compared with the results of our research media, policy and tolerance, commissioned by the Ministry of Education in 2001-2002. So we note that public anger against people of non-Slavic nationalities are much increased, but journalists in Tomsk have not become more irresponsible and provocative. Reports the most eminent in the country local TV-2 demonstrate high professional standards and in this issue. Given the problems arising from migration flows, as well as the growing xenophobic sentiments in society, Russian TV channels are faced with the need to balance between trying to preserve national harmony, glossing over the explosive theme, and the need to join the discussion of public sentiment, echoing fears and prejudices born of discussing these topics.

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