Fast Facts RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service reports the news in one of the most violent and dangerous regions in the world, where media freedom and journalists remain under severe threat. Languages: Avar, Chechen, Circassian Established: 2002 Distribution: Radio (SW, satellite) Coverage: Two hours daily Location: Prague Staff: 9 (Prague), 15 stringers

Media Environment

• Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index, 2012: Not Free (172nd/197)
• Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, 2012: 142nd/179
• Media outlets in the North Caucasus face the same limitations as those elsewhere in Russia, with the additional hazard of being located in one of the most violent and dangerous regions in the world. Assassinations and bombings by both Islamist rebels and Russian security forces are common, and anyone viewed as a potential threat can be imprisoned.

Highlights

• RFE/RL’s North Caucasus Service is the only international broadcaster to provide objective news and analysis to the North Caucasus in Chechen, Circassian and Avar.
• In February 2011, North Caucasus Service correspondents joined their colleagues from the Russian, Azerbaijani and Georgian Services in producing a Russian-language discussion program, ‘Free Talk,’ a news and discussion program that attempts to bridge the language gap in the fragmented region. “Free Talk” airs weekly on the Georgian public broadcasting network PIK (First Caucasus News).
• North Caucasus Service’s reporting on Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov has been widely cited in major international media.

updated: 2 February 2012

CHECHNYA

Population
1,268,989 (2010 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Chechen 93.5%
Russian 3.7%
Kumyk 0.8%
Ingush and others 2%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Chechen, Russian, others

DAGHESTAN

Population
2,910,249 (2010 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Northeast Caucasians 75%
(Avar, Dargin, Lezgin, and others)
Turkic and others 20%
(Kumyk, Nogai, Azeri, and others)
Russian 5%

Religions:
Muslim 90.4%
Eastern Orthodox and other 9.6%

Languages:
Russian, over 30 others

INGUSHETIA

Population
412,529 (2010 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Ingush 77.3%
Chechen 20.4%
Russian 1.2%
other 1.1%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Langagues:
Ingush, Russian

KABARDINO-BALKARIA

Population
859,939 (2010 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Kabardin 55.3%
Russian 25.1%
Balkar 11.6%
other 76%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Kabardin, Balkar, Russian

KARACHAYEVO-CHERKESSIA

Population
477,859 (2010 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Karachai 38.5%
Russian 33.6%
Cherkess 11.3%
Abazin 7.4%
Nogai 3.4%
other 5.8%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Karachai, Cherkess, Russian, others