Russia’s Press Day Celebrates Centuries of Journalism and Media Growth
January 13th marks Russia's Press Day, a professional holiday for journalists and media workers. This year, as of January 2025, over 155,000 registered media outlets are listed in Russia's media registry.
The history of Russian press dates back to 1703 when Peter the Great launched the first printed newspaper, Vedomosti. This newspaper was published twice a week, with a circulation of 706 copies in both Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The first official subscription system for periodicals was established in 1870. By 1914, Russia had over three thousand periodical publications. The first issue of the Literary Gazette also debuted on January 13, 1830.
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the professional holiday for journalists was moved to May 5, known as Soviet Press Day. However, in 1991, the holiday was restored to its original date and renamed Russian Press Day. Today, newspapers account for over half of Russia’s print media, with magazines and other periodicals making up the rest.
Despite the lack of public information about the origin of the honorary title 'Verdienter Journalist der Russischen Föderation' (Honored Journalist of the Russian Federation), the Russian press has a rich history and continues to play a significant role in the country's media landscape.
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