Zvezda is a Russian state-run television channel.
Media assets
Television: Zvezda
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
Zvezda is a Russian Ministry of Defense-owned company, as confirmed by experts and journalists covering Russian media in interviews conducted in March 2023 and June 2024.
Source of funding and budget
Zvezda operates with an annual state subsidy from the federal government budget. In 2020, the channel received a budget of RUB 2bn (equivalent to US$ 27.8m). According to media reports, Zvezda received a state allocation of RUB 1.8bn in each of 2021 and 2022.
Editorial independence
In interviews conducted with Russian experts in March 2023 and June 2024 for this report, Zvezda was identified as the most enthusiastic television channel in Russia in terms of its support for the authorities and criticism of opponents. Its reporting style is notably assertive in addressing perceived adversaries of the Kremlin.
To date, no domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism to validate the editorial independence of the Zvezda media outlets has been identified.
September 2024