Veteran Soviet-Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner, 90, is making a return to state television after more than two years since his long-running program was taken off the air following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pozner had hosted his weekly interview show “Pozner” on Channel One since 2008, but it was canceled shortly after the invasion. He later claimed that the program was pulled to make room for war coverage. Pozner has not publicly taken a stance on the invasion but has suggested that Western refusal to block Ukraine’s NATO ambitions played a role in escalating the conflict. Channel One announced that Pozner’s new show, “Turkish Notebook,” will be part of the network’s fall season lineup.
Pozner’s new show, “Turkish Notebook,” will focus on Turkey and is a departure from his former interview program that featured political guests such as former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and current Russian Security Council Head Dmitry Medvedev. The new project seems to steer clear of political issues, much like Pozner’s live events across Europe co-hosted by former late-night talk show host Ivan Urgant this year. In an interview with Forbes Russia, Pozner revealed that his production team completed an eight-episode documentary series on Turkey, which they submitted for Channel One head Konstantin Ernst’s approval. Despite receiving offers to work abroad if he denounced President Vladimir Putin and spoke out on Russian politics, Pozner declined, stating that such actions were not journalism but something else entirely.
Pozner gained international recognition during the Cold War for his television appearances, where he explained Soviet policies and viewpoints to Western audiences. During Perestroika, he hosted televised discussions between audiences in the Soviet Union and the U.S. alongside American journalist Phil Donahue. Pozner’s refusal to denounce Putin and speak out on Russian politics has led to criticism, but he remains committed to journalism and non-partisan reporting. His return to state television with a show focused on Turkey suggests a shift away from political topics, which may be a conscious decision to avoid controversy amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The return of Vladimir Pozner to state television marks a significant moment in Russian media, especially after the cancellation of his long-running program following the invasion of Ukraine. Pozner’s internationally recognized career as a journalist has spanned decades, with his ability to explain complex political issues to diverse audiences making him a respected figure. His decision to focus on non-political topics in his new show “Turkish Notebook” may be a strategic move to avoid controversy and continue his work without becoming entangled in political debates. Despite facing offers to work abroad if he denounced Putin and Russian politics, Pozner remains committed to journalism and non-partisan reporting.
In the current landscape of Russian media, the return of Vladimir Pozner to state television brings a mix of anticipation and speculation. His new show, “Turkish Notebook,” which focuses on Turkey, offers a departure from the political content of his previous program, indicating a shift towards more neutral topics. Pozner’s refusal to engage in political denouncements or take sides in the conflict in Ukraine has received criticism from some quarters, but his dedication to journalism and objective reporting remains steadfast. As Pozner prepares to re-enter the spotlight on Channel One, his return signifies a potentially new direction for his career and a continuation of his legacy as a veteran journalist in Russia.
