30 Years Ago, the Soviet Union Collapsed and the Press Praised Gorbachev

The Christmas present that freedom-lovers received was amazing. It happened 30 years ago. Soviet Union fell on 25 December 1991. Three of the regime’s republics had declared independence and others were preparing to leave. Mikhail Gorbachev, on Christmas Night 1991, accepted the reality of Soviet Union dissolution. 

Did journalists then accept the reality of it? It sure didn’t seem like it. It was the previous night, however. NBC Nightly NewsBob Abernethy from Moscow ranked Gorbachev over Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. 

Now let me share my hopes for how history will decide him. Maybe with some help and hard work people can improve their daily lives and be reminded of Gorbachev’s accomplishments. The end and beginning of the Cold War, as well as the 40 years of terror Gorbachev caused me to remember more than any other person. His actions in the world seem to be more positive than those of any other nation leader I have ever seen.

Instead of honoring the man who helped end the Soviet Union’s existence, journalists made the Communist leader their hero. On December 27, 1991, he died. Boston Globe H.D.S. column: Senior Associate Editor Greenway was hyped 

He was well deserving of the Nobel Prize for Ending Cold War. Each person, child and woman in this country must be forever grateful. In every capital of the east European countries ….Russians have done more for their people than Alexander II, who liberated the serfs.

Don’t worry. But don’t worry. 

Bernard Shaw: CNN’s Eileen O’Connor discusses the contradiction between the Soviets’ dream of wealth and the realities of creating a market economy inside an unstable political system.
Reporter Eileen O’Connor – “… Mikhail dreamed of becoming rich. It is clear that he must work hard. However, it can be scary to know that Big Brother will not come along.
CNN World NewsDecember 10, 1991. 

“The collapse of communism left many people in Albania and the surrounding countries hungry, cold, and without hope. Tirana’s children’s hospital is packed to the brim with people and desperately short on food and medicines.
After story by Dan Rather on Bulgaria December 19, 1991 Evening News

While millions died in communism’s reign, network journalists wanted Gorbachev to be praised for accepting reality. No matter, despite the corruption of the mainstream media, this special Christmas, the death of the Soviet Union,  present still stands as a gift to humanity. 

More examples are available from the FLASHBACK series (which we call NewsBusters Time Machine). Go here.

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