The internet’s favorite genre: Lebedev replied to my reply to him, which I gave in response to his reply to our inquiries. Everyone reached for their buckets of popcorn.
Not much of a response. It’s a shame the collapsed ceiling prevented the lawyers, accountants, and managers from answering my questions on the merits. For example, what’s the story with that 177 million ruble contract (about $1.9 million USD)? Could we at least take a quick look at it?
That said, I very much appreciate the invitation to debate. And of course, I won’t miss the chance to talk with an intelligent person about government procurement, corruption, elections, and everything else our posts touched on.
So yes, I agree.
I’m sure TV Rain (Dozhd) will organize everything.
Still, I can’t help noting the irony of the situation: at the debate, Artemy Lebedev will be defending his business and, in a certain sense, his clients—the Moscow Mayor’s Office. The very same city government that spends billions of rubles maintaining compliant media outlets and has its own TV channel. But we will never be invited onto that channel for a debate—it’s forbidden.
TV Rain (Dozhd) will have to carry the burden.