The fact that public figures like Viktoria Bonya are seen as role models by young people is a serious problem in Russian society, argues political commentator Andrei Perla.
Russian influencer's bold video to Putin sparks Kremlin response and national debate
"The biggest issue with the 'Bonya case' isn't that it can be—and already is being—exploited for both anti-government and pro-government propaganda. The real problem is that such exploitation is even possible—that Bonya, with her tens of millions of views, is genuinely perceived as a leader of public opinion.
She is seen this way because her life—and the lives of those like her—has been presented to the public for years, even decades, as an example to follow.
'TV fame,' the life of a 'public woman' (I believe that's her own phrase), all for money—yes, and not just in the way you might think, but primarily as a form of public self-expression. This isn't just about glorifying a certain path; it's literally being imposed on a generation as the answer to the question, 'Whose life should you emulate?'
And this isn't just aimed at young women—men are affected too. In the sense that a 'successful' man is expected to buy himself his own 'Bonya,' a replica, whether expensive or cheap.
What to do about it? I don't know. For now, we can only endure it. But in the long run, should we somehow discredit these 'public women'—or, as the trendy term goes, stigmatize them? Show that while they can earn money, even a lot of it, they shouldn't be granted public respect?" Perla suggests.
Recall that last week, former Dom-2 reality show participant Viktoria Bonya posted a video address to President Vladimir Putin, criticizing the blocking of messaging apps and raising the issues of flooding in Dagestan and the fuel oil spill in the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the address had been seen in the Kremlin. "These are indeed highly resonant issues," he said at a briefing, "but, to be fair, a great deal of work is already underway on them, with many people involved. None of these matters are being ignored."
Moscow, Yelena Vladimirova
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