I keep coming across articles that are explicitly saying... or hinting... that there is not a lot of freedom of the press in Russia right now.. Supposedly the result of the polices of the "United Russia" party.

I wanted to hear what you think about this.

The question is: Is it WORSE in Russia than other places.. If so, in what way is it worse?

If you think there is a problem - what do you think the solution is?

If you don't think there is a problem - why do you think Western press keeps suggesting that there is one...?

What's the freedom of press like in Russia compared with in the Ukraine. Belarus or other ex-USSR countries (i.e. Kazakhstan)? Or even compared with Germany, UK etc.

What role does the internet play in all this?