New NTV project: “In bed with the opposition”

The NTV television company is filming the second episode of the film “Anatomy of a Protest” with details of the personal lives of oppositionists, they say.

The first part of “Anatomy of a Protest,” released immediately after the presidential elections, caused outrage among participants in winter protests. The opposition accused NTV journalists of lying and distorting the facts. As part of the campaign against NTV, a rally called “Funeral of NTV” was held near the Ostankino television center.

This time, NTV became interested in the topic of the personal lives of the leaders of street actions, oppositionists say. NTV denies the fact that the film is being prepared.

Dmitry Gudkov, State Duma deputy from the A Just Russia party

“I wrote that my ex-wife Sofya Gudkova quit as a sign of protest - I don’t comment on this topic. NTV people pestered all of us on May 6 with idiotic questions - that’s a fact. They’ll cut something from there. They deceived me: they said what they would do report about the “March of Millions”, I started answering questions like a fool. After that they suddenly switched to questions about personal life, then I realized that this would be used somewhere. They first said that they were a normal editorial team, but that I had them. I didn’t have time to check it. The program will definitely be there, I know, I have my own sources. Now it’s being decided whether to present it this Sunday or slightly reschedule it.”

Ilya Yashin, one of the leaders of the Solidarity movement

“NTV correspondents pestered me during the first part of the rally on May 6. They followed me, tugged at my sleeve, asked who I was sleeping with. And I ignored them. They asked some questions, listed some people with whom, in their opinion, I can sleep, but I didn’t react. But, apparently, they will have something there.”

Ilya Ponomarev, State Duma deputy from the A Just Russia party

“I haven’t heard about it, but I know that such a program was filmed. But they never approached me. Maybe they filmed it with a hidden camera. But there were no questions about my personal life.”

Boris Nemtsov, co-chairman of the Parnas party

“Yes, NTV correspondents tried to take comments from me, ask some nasty things, mean things, something about my personal life. Well, they’re just scum. They have an order from the Kremlin. And they don’t hide it. As far as I know, the program will air on Sunday the 13th."

Vera Kichanova, municipal deputy of Southern Tushino, Moscow Council of the North-Western Administrative District ( blog on PublicPost )

“I was doing a report about the ultra-right May Day, where I was attacked by NTV “journalists.” Moreover, the same guy who broke into the Golos office and was exposed as Surkov’s propaganda. Apparently, the best forces were thrown at me, which is flattering :) I didn’t recognize him right away , so when he came up and asked for a comment, I replied that I’m sorry, but I work here myself as a journalist, I can’t stop him, and then I realized that it was NTV, I turned away and left, followed by him. my partner with a camera rushed after me, pushing people aside and shouting: “Vera, answer the question!”

Vladimir Kulistikov, General Director of NTV

- Is NTV making a film about the personal lives of oppositionists?

- You know, I don’t have such information, so I can’t tell you anything.

- Nevertheless, oppositionists say that NTV correspondents pester them with questions about their personal lives for such a film.

- NTV correspondents are a rare people, but you know, I don’t know about such a project.

Maria Bezborodova, NTV press secretary:

“I can give you an official comment that such a project does not appear in the plans of the NTV television company. In my opinion, this comment is quite comprehensive.”

NTV correspondents who participated in the filming of “Anatomy of a Protest” refused to comment on information about the new film; some of them, upon hearing that it was a media representative at the other end of the line, hung up.