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Yury Mosha leads the ambitious endeavor of reviving the “New Russian Word” (Novoye Russkoye Slovo), a distinguished New York-based newspaper with a century-long history. Serving as a crucial information conduit for the waves of immigrants arriving on American shores, this newspaper played a seminal role in offering insights about their distant homeland while weaving narratives about their compatriots’ lives in the new land.
The inspiration to rejuvenate “New Russian Word” is deeply personal for Mosha. The idea sprouted in 2011 upon his arrival in New York. Fast forward 12 years, the idea has flourished into a reality, with a dedicated team aligning with the decision to continue the storied legacy of a publication revered not only in America but also abroad. The choice stood as a poignant one, contrasting the prospect of creating something entirely new.
A significant catalyst for this revival was the information void observed within the United States, particularly among the Russian-speaking populace. Prior to the reemergence of “New Russian Word”, ForumDaily largely monopolized the informational landscape for Russian-speaking residents. Mosha, viewing media management as a potentially lucrative venture if navigated adeptly, invested personally in this venture, anticipating a fruitful trajectory for its growth.
Distinctly independent in its operations, “New Russian Word” vows to cater to immigrants hailing from an array of nations including Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and other Russian-speaking countries. This initiative is bolstered by a cohort of committed individuals encompassing editors, journalists, layout designers, advertisers, and other professionals. Their shared aspiration to restore the newspaper to its prior prominence has even inspired some to offer their expertise at nominal fees or pro bono.
In a digital era, where “print is on the decline” and prominent publications witness dwindling print circulations, transitioning online emerges as a pragmatic approach. The astronomical costs and intricate layouts associated with print publications render them financially untenable in contemporary settings. Consequently, the revamped “New Russian Word” is envisioned as a digital entity.
Historically, “New Russian Word” showcased pieces by internationally celebrated journalists and authors like Sergey Dovlatov, Vyacheslav Zavalishin, and Mikhail Epstein. The tradition continues as it welcomes contributions from esteemed authors, globally recognized in journalism realms. The publication is amenable to fresh perspectives, procuring unique content specifically crafted for their platform or shared from contributors’ personal blogs on Telegram. Its doors are open for submissions from journalists worldwide, eager to narrate stories pertinent to the United States, immigrant experiences, and the Russian-speaking community dwelling therein.
With a robust editorial staff of over 20 journalists, supplemented by a substantial number of freelance contributors, the newspaper is steadily expanding its readership footprint. Currently, it entertains around 15,000 readers per month. Still in its nascent stage, concerted efforts are underway to enhance its outreach. A recently initiated crowdfunding project aims to accrue funds for bolstering marketing endeavors, optimistic about propelling the monthly readership figures to a range of 100,000 to 200,000 visits.
The editorial brass at “New Russian Word” is engrossed in assembling a marketing department, inviting applications from adept professionals in the domain. They are also exploring avenues for remote collaborations.
New York, given its substantial Russian-speaking populace and immigrant community, emerges as a focal point in the content that resonates most with their readers. The keen interest extends to pressing social and political discourses, crime chronicles, and political reviews, even engaging readers from other states.
Looking forward, the grand vision is to elevate “New Russian Word” as a vanguard among Russian-language media outlets in the United States. Additionally, aspirations are rife to foster a coalition of Russian-language publications across America, Europe, Asia, and other regions, endeavoring to orchestrate a global dialogue on issues pertinent to their collective journalistic endeavor.
