School of Politics and International Studies

From Russia to Wikileaks: Reflections from a Guardian Correspondent

09 February 2012 | 5:30pm-6:45pm | Seminar

Rupert Becket Lecture Theatre, Michael Sadler Building

The Institute of Communications Studies presents a special lecture from Luke Harding, author of "Russia: The Mafia State" and co-author (with David Leigh) of “Wikileaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy.”

Luke Harding is an award-winning journalist, author and was formerly The Guardian's Moscow correspondent.

With Vladimir Putin set to return as Russian President in 2012, the country's surrender to autocracy deserves scrutiny. What went wrong in Russia, which showed such hope in the days of perestroika and after the collapse of communism?

The revival of Soviet-era practices has included the systematic intimidation, harassment, expulsion and imprisonment of public figures who question or criticize the status quo. 

Harding's account of his experiences, which saw him become one of the most hated foreign journalists in Russia and led to his expulsion in February 2011, is required reading for anyone seeking to understand the new yet familiar face of Russian authoritarianism.

Luke will be offering insights into his time in Russia and considering the fallout of Cablegate and the Guardian’s involvement with Wikileaks.

This event is cosponsored by The School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS).