The majority of the salary was paid in foreign currency directly into bank accounts in the employee's name. Usually those accounts were held in the banks that controlled or financed the media outlet in question. Similar tax-dodging methods were widespread in Moscow. The reformist government of former Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko unsuccessfully tried to obtain parliamentary approval for measures aimed at stopping these practices by, for instance, levying income tax on interest from bank accounts. With the onset of the crisis, these schemes ceased to exist and salaries are now paid almost exclusively in rubles.
Salaries depend on the exchange rate of the dollar.
It usually differs from the rate set by the Central Bank and also varies in banks controlling different media assets. Some networks have allowed their producers and journalists to look for outside sponsors for some of their broadcasts. Following a practice that was widespread in 1992-93, top journalists who do not receive their salaries are given additional time on air. In reality, this system means that the number of commercial programs is increasing, even as the amount of regular advertising is decreasing. The financial situation of many regional media, particularly print media, was extremely weak even before the August crisis.