The Global Story:The tightrope of reporting in Putin’s Russia

The podcast explores the challenges and changes in reporting from Russia, particularly for Western journalists, through the experiences of Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia Editor. Rosenberg recounts his early fascination with Russia and his decades-long career there, noting the shift from a hopeful post-Soviet era to the increasing restrictions under Vladimir Putin. He details the impact of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine on press freedom, including the enactment of repressive laws and the departure of many media organizations. Rosenberg shares anecdotes about being followed, the difficulty of gauging public sentiment, and the experience of questioning Putin at his annual press conference, highlighting Putin's resentment towards the West. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to documenting Russia's ongoing transformation.