Open AccessThe Russian Provincial Newspaper and Its Public, 1788–1864
Author(s) -
Susan SmithPeter
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the carl beck papers in russian and east european studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2163-839X
pISSN - 0889-275X
DOI - 10.5195/cbp.2008.145
Subject(s) - newspaper , reign , governor , empire , state (computer science) , section (typography) , political science , media studies , history , economic history , sociology , law , advertising , politics , engineering , algorithm , aerospace engineering , computer science , business
This work examines the rise of the provincial newspaper from its origins in Tambov under the poet and governor Gavrila Derzhavin to its widespread dissemination under Nicholas I. The newspapers included an offi cial section, which was fi lled with official announcements and orders, as well as an unoffi cial section dealing with the province. The state’s aim was to increase the fl ow of offi cial information to and from the provinces. They did not expect to stimulate local society and encourage the growth of regional identity, but these were among the unintended effects of the newspapers. In particular, the unofficial section became a forum for provincial readers and writers to study their corner of the empire in all its historical, ethnographic, statistical, and archaeological facets. This helped to lay the foundation for an active civil society during the reign of Nicholas I.