The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda was published.
“Pravda,” meaning “Truth” in Russian, was the official newspaper of the Bolshevik Party. Founded in 1912, it played a significant role in shaping public opinion during the Russian Revolution and the subsequent years of Soviet rule. Originally established as an underground newspaper to disseminate Marxist ideas, it became the mouthpiece of the Bolshevik Party after the October Revolution in 1917.
Under the editorship of figures like Leon Trotsky and later Joseph Stalin, Pravda served as a powerful tool for Bolshevik propaganda, promoting communist ideology and the policies of the Soviet government. It reached a wide audience, both within Russia and internationally, and played a crucial role in mobilizing support for the Bolshevik cause during the revolution and the subsequent civil war.
Pravda remained the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) throughout the Soviet era, though its content and focus evolved over time to reflect the changing political landscape. It was known for its uncompromising support of the Communist Party and its leaders, often serving as a platform for official announcements and policy statements.
Despite its name, Pravda was not always a reliable source of objective news. Like other state-controlled media outlets in communist countries, it was subject to censorship and propaganda, with content often tailored to fit the party’s narrative and political agenda.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Pravda underwent various transformations and ownership changes. While it no longer serves as the official mouthpiece of the Communist Party, its legacy as a symbol of Soviet-era media and propaganda remains significant.