# Russian TV channels are required to give airtime to debates before elections. The parties just don’t show up.

https://mins.news/en/item/42246

- Meduza, 2026-09-02 15:11 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/09/02/russian-tv-channels-are-required-to-give-airtime-to-debates-before-elections-the-parties-just-don-t-show-up

> Televised debates for Russia’s State Duma elections have begun under a law requiring state channels to devote at least half of parties’ free airtime to joint events. In Ryazan, all six lecterns were empty on two consecutive broadcasts. In Buryatia, a Communist candidate’s appeal for an open debate was cut off by a government meeting, while another candidate answered a question and then stood silent on air.