Russian newspaper: historical features and parallels

This essay represents the reduced translation of the book: Tatiana Rodionova. Funkcii russkoj dooktjabr¿skoj gazety: svoeobrazie i paralleli (Functions of Russian pre-October newspaper: originality and parallels). LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. Saarbrucken, Germany. 2014. Author shows that in spite of fact that development of information and communication inquiries in Russia was very original, in many respects it was similar to corresponding processes in Western countries. In the Middle Ages such centres of international trade as Venice and Velikij Novgorod have already shown formation of tendencies which have led to emergence of newspapers in Europe. Against the background of Peter I' reforms it could be observed gathering of newspaper audience and accelerating of information processes. By the time of opening of the First State Douma in 1906 the newspaper press in Russia reached European level of development. It was confirmed by its role in the international communication and information space.