The media in Russia: Echo no more? ON THE tightly controlled Russian airwaves, Ekho Moskvy, a liberal radio station, has always stood out. Despite being two-thirds owned by Gazprom Media, an arm of Russia's state gas giant, it has aired acerbic criticism of the Kremlin and invited guests blacklisted by state television. This freedom is under threat. Alexei Venediktov, the station's long-serving editor, is to lose his place on the board, as are two independent members. On the new board, journalists will be replaced by managers and an independent seat will go to a former classmate of Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's outgoing president. Mr Venediktov will stay as editor but the board will be tipped in the state's favour, making it easier to sack him. Gazprom Media says this is just a corporate shake-up, but the political atmosphere makes that implausible. The Kremlin has tolerated Ekho Moskvy as a safety-valve for the discontented intelligentsia, and also as a useful tool to refute Western criticism of lack of freedom of speech. Ekho was also patronised by Vladimir Putin, the once and future president, who often invited Mr Venediktov to media gatherings. Their relationship has been like an autocratic leader's to a wise fool, licensed to speak the truth. This made Mr Venediktov almost untouchable. Ekho Moskvy was thus not only an institution for the liberal intelligentsia but also a channel of communication for the Kremlin. But after December's dubious Duma election, Ekho Moskvy's role as one of the media resources of protesters put new pressure on Mr Venediktov. Mr Medvedev apparently demanded that he be sacked. Instead, Mr Venediktov was invited to ask Mr Putin tough questions in a televised telephone call-in session. Now Mr Putin appears to have removed his protection. At a recent gathering of national news editors, he publicly accused Ekho Moskvy of acting in America's interest and "pouring diarrhoea on him from day till night." What may have offended him most was Mr Venediktov's refusal to endorse his presidential candidacy, as some other Russian editors and celebrities have done. "Do you not trust me?" an irritated Mr Putin asked Mr Venediktov, "because I trust you." As Mr Venediktov explained, Mr Putin did not give an order to pursue him or Ekho Moskvy. But his public criticism was a green light to those keen to carve up the media market at a time of political uncertainty.