Global News Podcast The Global Story:The tightrope of reporting in Putin’s Russia
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Feb 22, 2026 A veteran Russia correspondent describes staying in Moscow and weighing safety against the need to report. They recount Soviet-era fascination, 1990s upheaval and Putin’s centralisation of power. The conversation covers legal crackdowns since 2022, the mechanics of surveillance and adapting interviews to protect sources. There is also a look at preparing tough press questions and curiosity about Russia’s uncertain future.
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Starting Career Amid Soviet Collapse
- Steve Rosenberg first went to Moscow in 1991 and began reporting as the Soviet Union collapsed.
- He started his broadcasting career during Boris Yeltsin's resignation and soon covered the rise of Vladimir Putin.
Centralized Power Under Putin
- Putin's security-service background reshaped Russia's power dynamics toward centralized control.
- Rosenberg says restoring order under Putin meant restoring Kremlin power and limiting regional dissent.
Leaving Moscow After 2022 Invasion
- After the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, new repressive laws forced many Western outlets to pause or leave.
- Rosenberg stayed in Moscow, constantly reassessing safety while BBC Russian departed its bustling newsroom.