Telegram's Nizhny Novgorod MSU channels attract various audiences due to the reasons provided by specialists.
In the bustling city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, the chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly, Yevgeny Lyulin, has made a significant move by disabling comments on his Telegram channel. This decision, according to reports, comes in response to increasing criticism and possibly as a means to manage the flow of public feedback more tightly.
This move is part of a broader trend in Russia, where regulatory and political pressures are mounting regarding communication channels between government officials and the public. One such pressure point is the ban on communication between authorities and the public in foreign messengers. This refers to recent or impending regulations in Russia that restrict or prohibit government officials from using non-Russian messaging apps for official communications or interactions with citizens.
The rationale behind such measures typically includes concerns over data security, sovereignty, and control over information dissemination. By forcing authorities to avoid foreign platforms like Telegram (which, despite its widespread use in Russia, is registered abroad) or WhatsApp, the government aims to encourage or mandate the use of domestically controlled alternatives. This can limit public access to officials through familiar channels and also centralize message monitoring and censorship.
The impact of these changes is evident in the telegram channels of other municipal heads in the region. For instance, Mikhail Klinov, the head of Dzerzhinsk, has 2,200 subscribers on his Telegram channel, while Alexander Shelokov, the head of Arzamas, has 2,000 subscribers. The mayor of Nizhny Novgorod, Yuri Shalaev, leads with the most subscribers, currently over 9,900.
Interestingly, the heads of Vach, Vetluga, and Pochinki do not have personal Telegram channels; only the press service of their administrations makes publications. Most municipal heads' Telegram channels lack active feedback, a factor that experts believe could be affected by the ban on foreign messengers.
Despite these challenges, personal channels of officials inspire trust among citizens, and statements from Nizhny Novgorod officials sometimes attract residents from other regions. Alexander Mudrov's posts, for example, often become news topics. The Telegram channels of municipal officials have evolved beyond a communication tool, serving as an essential element of communication and reputation.
However, users express interest in honesty in discussing mistakes and the ability to comment on publications in the Telegram channels of municipal officials. Most municipal heads prefer a "signal" agenda on their Telegram channels, focusing on positive news and achievements rather than addressing problematic issues.
As of now, 34 heads of municipalities in the Nizhny Novgorod region maintain their own Telegram channels. With the ban on foreign messengers for official communication, it remains to be seen how these officials will adapt and continue to engage with their constituents.
In the face of these changes, Yevgeny Lyulin, the chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly, will disable comments in his Telegram channel, citing the ban on communication between authorities and the public in foreign messengers as the reason. This move underscores the complex and evolving landscape of communication between government officials and the public in Russia.
- In light of the ban on communication between authorities and the public in foreign messengers, it's uncertain how the 34 heads of municipalities in the Nizhny Novgorod region will adapt and continue to engage with their constituents, as this move by Yevgeny Lyulin, the chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly, to disable comments in his Telegram channel hints at a broader trend in Russian politics.
- The impending or recent regulations in Russia that restrict or prohibit government officials from using non-Russian messaging apps for official communications or interactions with citizens has sparked discussions about the role of politics in shaping communication channels, a topic that has gained prominence in the general news, especially considering the impact these measures could have on transparency and public trust.
