Moscow Times: For Russians Like Me, Silencing Jimmy Kimmel Looks Dangerously Familiar

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For Russians Like Me, Silencing Jimmy Kimmel Looks Dangerously Familiar
The Moscow Times, 09/19/2025, Andrei Soldstov

The removal from the air of a second American comedian since President Donald Trump was elected in the United States should send chills down the spine of every journalist who worked in Moscow in the early 2000s. That was how President Vladimir Putin began consolidating his power – by attacking mainstream media, starting with television and, notably, TV comedians.

In 2000, Putin was deeply unhappy with the coverage he was getting on the NTV television channel, whose journalists were trained in the West instead of Soviet institutions, which was critical of Putin and his war in Chechnya. He was particularly annoyed by the way he was portrayed in Kukly (Puppets), a TV show authored by liberal satirist Viktor Shenderovich, featuring puppet characters of Russian politicians. It was the most-watched show in the country.

The Kremlin launched a multifaceted attack on NTV, including staging raids on its parent media holding. It did result in Kukly being taken off the air, among other consequences, including the expulsion of the core of the NTV editorial office from the channel.

What was really shocking was that many Russian liberal journalists and public intellectuals were quick to rationalize the attack on NTV and Kukly. They deliberately chose to ignore the early signs of the repressive regime Putin was building, justifying it by saying the country needed fixing and had to become strong.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/19/for-russians-like-me-silencing-jimmy-kimmel-looks-dangerously-familiar-a90567