Russia's former top censor is appointed CEO of Gazprom-Media

Alexander Zharov has landed on his feet. After eight years as head of Roskomnadzor (Russia’s federal censor), he was dismissed on Monday by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. A day later, Zharov was appointed CEO of Gazprom-Media by the company’s board of directors. His new three-year contract takes effect immediately.

“Traditional media are experiencing a stage of rapid changes under the influence of new technologies and increasing competition. Our task is to strengthen the leading positions of this company in a changing environment. Alexander Zharov’s experience, gained over years of supervising the information-technology and communications fields, his balanced, broad view of Russian media, and his deep understanding of the processes underway in the industry are tailored to solve the challenges before us,” said Alexey Miller, the head of Gazprom.

Gazprom-Media’s CEO position became vacant in January 2020, when Dmitry Chernyshenko left to become a deputy prime minister in Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s cabinet.

Alexander Zharov had managed Roskomnadzor since 2012. During his long tenure, the agency blocked major Internet resources like the social network LinkedIn and torrent-track RuTracker, and infamously tried but failed to block the instant messenger Telegram. Zharov previously worked in Russia’s health and communications ministries and also held a position at the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK).