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Between the state and the market: An analysis of TASS’ fall and rise

The transformation of Russian news agencies has not previously attracted much academic attention outside Russia, although it provides an interesting case for the study of state–media relations and the growth of digital media technologies. This article explores how TASS, as a state-owned news agency, has been able to retain its position as a domestic and international provider of news in competition with other state- and privately owned agencies in Russia. It uses a case-study approach, employing in-depth elite interviews together with existing research, news sources, professional databases and marketing reports. The particular focus is on management issues and on the technological challenges affecting TASS’ strategic actions and ongoing operations. We analyse (1) the historical development of TASS, (2) its role as a national and international agency, (3) its relations with the state and (4) its move to a B2C model. The article concludes that state financial support, combined with the strong managerial decisions taken by new executives, have restored TASS’ strong position in Russia’s highly competitive news market after the agency’s significant decline in the 1990s and early 2000s.