Voice of Russia Debuts New Documentary to Commemorate 20th Anniversary of the Russian Constitutional Crisis

Voice of Russia Debuts New Documentary to Commemorate 20th Anniversary of the Russian Constitutional Crisis

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Voice of Russia, one of the world's leading broadcast services, today debuted a new documentary, "October 1993 Crisis," to commemorate the 20(th) anniversary of the Russian constitutional crisis. The 30-minute documentary on the event can be viewed at the Voice of Russia website. The documentary is part of a larger effort of the Voice of Russia to become more multimedia oriented. "We plan to start a series of documentaries and special features that will be dedicated to crucial moments in contemporary history," said Rustem Safronov, Washington Bureau Chief for the Voice of Russia.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131004/NY92313)

The film focuses on the events after the fall of the Soviet Union when Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin instilled a number of neoliberal reforms that eventually led to hyperinflation and mass privatization. In 1993, Yeltsin attempted to dissolve an uncooperative Supreme Soviet, the Russian parliament, and ordered a referendum on a new constitution. The parliament deemed Yeltsin's presidency "unconstitutional" and appointed its own acting president. Violence erupted in Moscow on September 28, which escalated through October 4, claiming hundreds of lives.

The documentary was previewed by a representative group of experts on Russia: Rustem Safronov, VOR's Washington Bureau Chief and a TV reporter in 1993 wounded by sniper fire of an unknown origin; Will Pomeranz, Deputy Director of the Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies of the Woodrow Wilson Center; Paul Tadich,the producer of the documentary.

"The problem with the ratification of Russian constitution was that social agreement would lead to promulgation of a new constitution. As a result of October events, new constitution preceded social agreement and that made the implementation of social and civil rights much more difficult," says Mr. Pomeranz who is currently teaching Russian law at the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies in Georgetown University.

Tadich, sums up the film's main idea: "As Russia is moving into 21(st) century, it is important to remember that the conflict of October 4(th) was the turning point between looking backward and going forward."

About VOR

The Voice of Russia was the first radio station to broadcast internationally. On the air since October 29th 1929, VOR has been shaping Russia's image worldwide and introducing Russia to the world and highlighting its opinions on global events.

Today VOR broadcasts to 160 countries in 38 languages for a total of 151 hours per day, on short and medium waves, in the FM band, via satellite and through global mobile communications network. In 2003 VOR was among the major international radio broadcasters to launch daily broadcasts to Europe in Digital Radio Mondiale.

VOR programs are broadcast to the USA through satellite channels of the global network, by cable, in the FM band, and through mobile communication links in 16 states. VOR is among the world's top five radio broadcasters which include the BBC, the Voice of America, Deutsche Welle and Radio France International. According to a survey carried out by International Media Help (Switzerland) among radio listeners in 50 countries, VOR is the third in popularity after the BBC and the Voice of America.

VOR broadcasts on the Internet in 33 languages and on its Website which boasts over 500 sections and is visited by people from 140 countries. Visitors can choose from on-line reports, audio, video and multimedia material.

VOR has 109 million listeners in 160 countries. In their opinion Voice of Russia provides a convenient and democratic channel to obtain information about Russia. VOR is a member of the National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters, the European Broadcasting Union, Digital Radio Mondiale and the Conference of International Broadcasters' Audience Research. Many Voice of Russia programs have won the Radiomania national award. In 2008 Voice of Russia won the Runet Prize. Read more: http://english.ruvr.ru/about/..

For further information, please contact Peter Collins (+ 1 908 499 1200) or pcollins@mvgmain.com

The documentary can be viewed at the following link:http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2013_10_01/SPECIAL-EVENT-1993-Russian-Constitutional-Crisis-Film-in-DC-Thursday-2pm-0749/

SOURCE Voice of Russia

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131004/NY92313
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Voice of Russia

Web Site: http://voiceofrussia.com


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