Extra-legal control over the press in Russia at the beginning of the ХХ century

At the beginning of the ХХ century in Russia the system of extra-legal governmental control over the press and its activities existed and was efficient: administrative and economic levers of «influence» were successfully employed. Professional organisations of journalists and publishers acted as the system of checks and balances. Major role in the development of the periodical press as a system was played by the changed political, social and economic situation in the country, аs well as the growing authority of the representatives of publishing business and their active participation in the political life of the country.