And yet, Uralsky Rabochy has been embarked on a massive change initiative for several years. Perhaps technology is the natural next step. Since the collapse of socialism in 1991, it has been independent, owned by employees. During that time, it has been grappling with just what that means, just as it has been struggling with massive challenges that all of Russia has faced in its pursuit of democracy and a market-based economy. Today, the circulation hovers between 85,000 and 105,000, depending on the day of the week.
Editors blame Russia's rampant inflation and stagnant economy for the drop.
People simply can't afford the paper as easily as they once could. While the government no longer controls the newspaper outright, it holds considerable clout. The state owns the building in which the newspaper is produced. It owns the printing company. It also controls the circulation and distribution, since most of the papers are delivered through the postal service.