Which politician from the Nizhny Novgorod region became the most media-active?

      The editorial team of pravda-nn.ru, together with the Mediaлогия system, presents the results of the quarterly media activity rating of representatives from Nizhny Novgorod Oblast in both chambers of the Federal Assembly: State Duma deputies and Federation Council senators from the region. As part of the project, we determine which Nizhny Novgorod politicians are the most active in the information field. Today, we summarize the results for the second quarter of 2025.

      Why politicians need activity in the media and information field

      In the modern world, media activity has become an integral part of political strategy. Politicians increasingly use the media and social networks to shape their image, influence public opinion, and strengthen their positions in the race for "popular support." As Nikita Shangin, head of the Philosophy, Sociology, and Psychology of Management Department at the Presidential Academy, notes, through media activity, politicians show that they are engaged in concrete issues, not just "occupying seats" in government buildings.

      It is also a way for representatives of authority to communicate with each other, believes the expert: certain statements become news triggers for colleagues to express their positions. Furthermore, media activity is a way to maintain communication with their electorate: a representative can understand what they are doing well and what the public disapproves of, attract audiences to their side, and stand out among competitors. The interaction scheme is clear: the more a politician appears in the news, interviews, and social networks, the better they are remembered and trusted by people.

      "As people are more interested not even in specific actions of officials, but in the results these actions produce—such as prices for goods and services, the state of various sectors, security, etc.—" emphasizes Nikita Shangin. "This is normal; any work is assessed by its visible results. Therefore, media support only works when it reflects the visible state; otherwise, it only causes irritation. You could say that for deputies and senators, media activity is one of the important tasks, but just one of many."

      MediaIndex indicates the state of the informational field formed by the media around a person. The higher the MediaIndex, the more vibrant and positive the person’s presence in the media, and the more positive their image. The calculation of the MediaIndex considers mention frequency, the influence of the source, the nature of mentions, the person’s role in the message, and the presence of direct or indirect speech related to the person.

      Yury Stankevich

      The latest media activity rating is again led by Yury Stankevich, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy. His MediaIndex for the second quarter of 2025 was 8603.1.

      Yury Stankevich continues to actively participate in the information field, engaging with various media and commenting on актуальные темы in his Telegram channel. For example, journalists’ attention was attracted by his comment regarding the sharp increase in electricity tariffs in Russia from July 1, 2025. As explained by the politician, this measure is related to underfunding in the sector, which arose due to electricity generation separate from the market, measures to restrain tariff growth for the population, and the increasing share of cross-subsidization. Previously, these issues were addressed via budget injections, but now there is no extra money for that.

      Additionally, Stankevich’s visit to the «KULIBIN» SEZ in Dzerzhinsk, where he inspected operational and under-construction enterprises, received wide media coverage. He was accompanied by Igor Ishchenko, General Director of JSC "Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation," and representatives of resident companies.

      His initiative to create a unified digital registry of gas cylinders and a system for their mandatory marking also made headlines. He believes this will improve safety in residential buildings and reduce accidents, as there is currently no effective control system for manufacturing, circulation, technical condition, and disposal of cylinders.

      Publicity is an essential part of a politician’s daily work. Staying in the focus of public attention is very challenging. But I cannot do otherwise: a deputy must have firm positions on issues concerning Nizhny Novgorod residents, defend them at all levels, and act honestly. Through media interaction, I am approached by residents from various parts of the region. Housing and utilities, road repairs, schools, and hospitals are top priorities. Earning trust is paramount.

      Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy Yury Stankevich

      Deputies from Nizhny Novgorod Region continue communication even within the walls of parliament

      Photo: Aleksandr Volozhanin

      Photobank

      Olga Shchetinina

      In second place of the new rating is Federation Council senator Olga Shchetinina from Nizhny Novgorod Oblast with a MediaIndex of 4434.9. She actively maintains a presence in the media, participating in various events and making non-trivial statements.

      "Openness, in my understanding, is an inherent part of any politician’s work. It applies not only to decision-making and setting tasks but also to transparency in the communication process with residents. The main goal of my posts and media comments is to share information about my work, whether it’s regional activities or participation in the Federation Council," notes the senator. "Likes, reposts, and comments help better understand the interests and preferences of readers and followers. Thanks to feedback, I learn which topics are most resonant. Moreover, negative reactions are also important: criticism helps see the situation from the other side, identify possible shortcomings, and adjust further steps. Only together can we effectively solve the tasks set and move forward."

      For example, the senator participated in an award ceremony for social workers in Nizhny Novgorod region on the occasion of a professional holiday. She delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of social services and building cooperation with общественные организации.

      In June 2025, Shchetinina also met with representatives of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" Foundation, the Committee of Families of Warriors of the Motherland, prosthetic and orthopedic enterprises, the military hospital, and relevant agencies to discuss the results of prosthetics and rehabilitation systems for participants of the Special Military Operation (SMO) in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. This directive was given by Federation Council Chairman Valentina Matviyenko.

      Following this, the senator instructed to develop strict standards for prosthetics centers, establish criteria for assessing disability groups among injured SMO participants, and extend the examination period for obtaining individual rehabilitation and habilitation programs (IRHP).

      Last month, Olga Shchetinina also took part in the opening of the support school for wives and mothers of SMO participants, “Life After Victory,” in Nizhny Novgorod. The school will include educational modules on psychological preparation, social support measures for participants and their families, employment and retraining, starting a business, and family health preservation.

      At the opening ceremony, Shchetinina emphasized that supporting families of SMO participants is key to their successful reintegration into civilian life.

      Olga Shchetinina participated in opening the support school for wives and mothers of SMO participants “Life After Victory”

      Photo: t.me/shchetinina_ov

      Aleksandr Vainberg

      The newcomer to the top 3 of the media activity rating is Federation Council senator from Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Aleksandr Vainberg. His MediaIndex from April to June was 4269.

      During this period, Vainberg “broke into” media attention by presenting, together with folk artist SHAMAN (Yaroslav Dronov), a new song dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The composition was recorded jointly with "Lube" musician Nikolay Rastorguev, and Vainberg is credited as the author. The song was created for the film “Did Not Appear in the Lists,” starring Vladimir Mashkov.

      In April 2025, the senator, alongside Governor Gleb Nikitin, inspected rehabilitation transport for SMO veterans, showcased at the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. The product was produced by the Nizhny Novgorod plant LLC "Promtech" and adapted for people with limited health capabilities.

      In June 2025, Aleksandr Vainberg met with participants of the regional project “Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region” at KUPNO. The meeting was an open dialogue with veterans of SMO, who discussed a wide range of актуальные topics with the senator. The focus was on patriotic education of youth, the formation of state ideology, migration policy, and internal motivation of defenders of the Fatherland.

      Vainberg, known for his active stance on patriotism and government policy, emphasized the importance of veterans’ participation in civic and educational activities. Many participants expressed readiness to continue work in civil and patriotic education.

      Aleksandr Vainberg emphasized the importance of veterans’ involvement in social and educational work

      Photo: t.me/kupnonn

      The MediaIndex of other deputies and senators from Nizhny Novgorod region for the second quarter of 2025 is as follows: Vladislav Egorov — 3384; Artem Kavinov — 2247; Vadim Bulavinov — 1091; Roman Lyubarsky — 352.2; Natalya Nazarova — 310; Anatoly Lesun — 156; Evgeny Lebedev — 90.

      Here’s how the MediaIndex of other deputies and senators from Nizhny Novgorod looks

      Photo: Stanislav Redoshkin

      Earlier, on pravda-nn.ru, a media rating of representatives from Nizhny Novgorod in both chambers of the Federal Assembly for the first quarter of 2025 was published.

      Anastasia Krasushkina

      Photo: State Duma of Russia