Development of voluntary citizen journalism in the Republic of Karelia in the second half of the 1950s and the 1960s

This article examines a previously neglected aspect of the press history in Karelia, focusing on the press’s contribution to the development of voluntary citizen journalism during the Thaw period. Drawing on archival documents, memoirs, and newspaper publications, the author investigates the structure of the local press and the key institutions of the republican, district, and large-circulation press. Utilizing analytical, systematic, and retrospective methods, the author identifies patterns and specificities in the organization of editorial offices during this period, as well as the various forms and techniques employed in journalistic interactions with readers. The analysis primarily centers on the evolution of voluntary citizen journalism principles within newspaper editorial offices. The conducted research demonstrates that the press actively participated in the institutionalization of voluntary activism principles in the Republic, facilitating the creation of opportunities for readers’ self-expression and their engagement in public affairs.