Journalist out of a job after asking Putin question

Quite why Alisa Yarovskaya is out of a job as a journalist for state TV channel Yamal-Region days after asking a question during the president's annual press conference is unclear.

Some reports say authorities in the Arctic Yamal area of north-west Siberia were displeased with her question.

Yarovskaya, however, says she submitted her resignation personally.

But the story has shone a light on the difficult role Russian journalists have in holding authorities to account.

Almost three hours into President Vladimir Putin's annual press conference on 19 December, the microphone was passed to journalists from the Yamal region.

Alisa Yarovskaya took the microphone, although it was apparently meant for another Yamal-Region TV journalist selected by Mr Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.

She began by highlighting the advantages of global warming for her region as it meant that the Arctic sea route was melting. Local infrastructure, including rail, was being built, however construction of a bridge over the River Ob was stalling, she said. The bridge is meant to connect two local cities, Salekhard and Labytnangi.

Agencies

 

Dhaka/Nasim