Channel One (Russian: Пе́рвый кана́л, Pervy Kanal) is one of Russia's most highly rated TV channels with the widest reception area. According to a recent government publication, the Russian government controls 51% of its shares. Its headquarters are in the Ostankino Tower, Moscow. Image File history File links CH1_Russia. ... The Ostankino tower seen from a distance. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ...

ORT (ОРТ—Общественное Российское Телевидение, Public Russian Television) was founded in 1994 to replace the Soviet Channel One, while maintaning its traditional programs and shows, such as KVN, Chto? Gde? Kogda?, V mire zhivotnykh i Klub puteshestvennikov. ORT began broadcasting in 1995, with the prominent TV journalist Vladislav Listyev as its leader. For the former television station, see television program shown in classrooms in 8,000 to 12,000 secondary schools in the United States. ... KVN (Russian: , an abbreviation of Russian: , Klub Vesyolykh i Nakhodchivykh, Club of the cheerful and sharp-witted people) is a Russian humor TV show where Russian student teams compete by giving funny answers to questions, improvisations, prepared sketches. ... Vlad(islav) Nikolayevich Listyev (Russian: ) (May 10, 1956–March 1, 1995) was a Russian journalist and head of the ORT TV Channel (now government-controlled Channel One). ...

However, following Listyev's assassination in March 1995, Boris Berezovsky, the leading shareholder of ORT, took control of operations. Berezovsky claims that in 2001 he was forced by the Putin administration to sell his shares. Soon after Berezovsky's withdrawal, the new ownership changed the channel's name to Pervy Kanal. The current General Director of Channel One is Konstantin Ernst. Currently Channel One's minority shares are held by three little-known companies, ORT-KB, Eberlink-2002, and Rastrkom. Some speculate that these companies are owned by Roman Abramovich, although this claim lacks definitive proof. Boris Abramovich Berezovsky (Бори́с Абра́мович Березо́вский) (born January 23, 1946) (Note: Boris Berezovsky is now officially known as Platon Elenin by the British Home Office [1]) is a Russian businessman. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Влади́мир Влади́мирович Пу́тин in Cyrillic lettering) (born October 7, 1952) has been the President of Russia since the year 2000. ... Roman Abramovich. ...

Political coverage

Russian television media in the Putin-era has been criticized for so-called "anti-government bias." Some critics charge that Channel One's news and information programs are frequently used for propaganda purposes. These critics contend that Channel One airs a disproportionate amount of stories focusing on positive aspects of official government policy, while largely neglecting certain controversial topics such as war in Chechnya or social problems. In addition, some have argued that the station's news reports often blur the line between factual reporting and editorial commentary, especially when broadcasting stories concerning Russian government policies or goals. For example, during the 2004 Ukrainian Presidential elections, many political observers believe the Russian government actively supported the candidacy of then Ukrainian Prime-minister Viktor Yanukovich. Similarly, in an October 13, 2004 news story, Channel One reporter Natalya Kondratuk declared that "the Premier [Yanukovich], as a candidate, is adding to his ratings by working on the economy and by solving current social problems; he does not use slogans; he is not criticizing his opponent; and he is not creating scandals. Yushchenko’s style of campaigning is diametrically opposite." Capital Grozny Area - total - % water Ranked 80th - 15,300 km² - negligible Population - Total - Density Ranked 49th - est. ... Politics of Russia (the Russian Federation) takes place in a framework of a federal presidential republic, whereby the President of Russia is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... The presidential election held in November and December 2004 in Ukraine was mostly a political battle between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and former Prime Minister and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. ... Viktor Yanukovych Campaign Poster 2004 Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych (Russian: Виктор Федорович Янукович1) (born July 9, 1950 in Yenakiieve, Donetska oblast) was Prime Minister of Ukraine from November 21, 2002 to December 31, 2004. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko (Ukrainian: Віктор Андрійович Ющенко) (born 23 February 1954) is the president of Ukraine. ...

In another controversial example, on a January 23, 2005 broadcast, in the midst of widespread protests against a new reform of Russia's social benefits system (L'goty), a Channel One anchor opined, "you can understand, and should understand, those who went out on the streets, but you also have to understand that the old system has completely outlived its use." Later, in the same story, a reporter characterized those protesting against the reforms as political opportunists, adding, "criticizing the reform is good PR." A few days later, on January 27, 2005, as the protests continued across Russia, a Channel One reporter noted, "You can understand the elderly [protestors, but] repealing free [bus] fares was the last hope for public transport." January 23 is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Similarly, on a February 12, 2005 broadcast, a Channel One anchor declared, "The key question of the week has been: how are Presidents Saakashvili (of the Republic of Georgia) and Yushchenko (of Ukraine) different? At first, it seemed the difference was only in their appearance, in all other ways, they were like characters from the film 'Attack of the Clones' for us." Critics of Channel One news argue that hundreds of similar examples exist where station news reporters and anchors insert editorial commentary into news reports, almost always to commend perceived allies of Russia or criticize perceived enemies. February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mikhail Saakashvili briefing the press at UN headquarters Mikhail Saakashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი) (born Thursday, December 21, 1967), Georgian jurist and politician, is the President of Georgia. ... Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko (Ukrainian: Віктор Андрійович Ющенко) (born 23 February 1954) is the president of Ukraine. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ...

Channel One movies

Channel One remains the most prosperous of Russian TV channels and wields the largest budget by far. Most recently, it produced three of the highest-grossing Russian movies ever, Night Watch (2004), Turkish Gambit (2005), and Day Watch (2006). Night Watch (Russian: Ночной Дозор [Nochnoy Dozor]) is a 2004 film. ... Day Watch (Russian: ) is a Russian sci-fi blockbuster, marketed as the first film of the year, opened in theatres across Russia on January 1, 2006. ...

External links

• (Russian) Official Site All of Channel One's news broadcasts since 1999 are archived here
• (English) International Federation of Journalists Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists
• (Russian) The Union of Russian Journalists Professional Code of Ethics
• (English) Channel One Russia USA