RBC reported that a correspondent named Anna Zakharova faced hostile reactions from Anastasia Tatulova, the founder behind the Anderson cafe chain, following comments in an article that Tatulova did not approve. In a statement to socialbites.ca, Pyotr Kanaev, who serves as the editor in chief of the RBC Unified Broadcasting Board, described the exchange as one where Tatulova used language that bordered on insult and threat. He noted, however, that some statements were adjusted during editing to reflect a more precise account. The incident underscores the fragile line between critique and intimidation in media discourse.
Officials at RBC stressed their responsibility for the safety and well being of their newsroom. They explained that the RBC editorial team must uphold a standard of professional conduct, which includes safeguarding both the psychological and physical security of journalists. On a Friday evening, Zakharova reportedly notified RBC leadership that after publication of an article containing quotations attributed to Tatulova, a phone call from Tatulova conveyed strong dissatisfaction. The caller challenged several passages, particularly a claim about the ownership of the Anderson brand versus the cafe chain itself. Tatulova allegedly argued that the writer misrepresented ownership structures and requested a correction to the text. In the process, some phrases were altered to better reflect her stance and to avoid inaccurate assertions. According to Zakharova, the call also contained remarks she interpreted as derogatory and intimidating, though a precise wording could vary in different reports.
Kanaev described the language used in the exchange as unacceptable and emphasized that he had sent a formal note to Tatulova. The letter urged her to address business concerns through respectful dialogue and to refrain from demeaning or threatening language toward journalists. He stated that RBC values objectivity in reporting and remains ready to engage with business figures on fair terms. The overarching message from Kanaev was clear: professional disagreements should be navigated through dialogue, not through intimidation or coercive rhetoric aimed at media workers. The chairman of the Unified Broadcasting Board reiterated that threats against reporters will be taken seriously and addressed with appropriate seriousness by RBC leadership.
On November 25, Zakharova posted a notice on the VKontakte social network documenting threats reportedly issued by Tatulova. The correspondent claimed that the entrepreneur did not approve certain statements in the piece about the sale of Anderson to a competitor, and that Tatulova demanded corrections under the threat of retaliation. The account described the season as tense, with Tatulova allegedly vowing consequences if the text was not amended to her satisfaction. This sequence of events prompted the RBC editorial leadership to reassert their commitment to accurate reporting and to reaffirm that editorial decisions are separate from personal pressure. The incident was framed as part of broader discussions about media freedom and the safety of journalists who cover high-profile business figures in a competitive market.
Earlier coverage indicated that Tatulova had previously moved into media circles after gaining prominence as a business founder, which has heightened attention on how her actions influence coverage. In the wake of these events, RBC continued to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that editorial processes remained transparent and that the integrity of published material was preserved. Per statements from RBC, the incident has been handled with a focus on accountability and due process, ensuring that any corrections reflect factual accuracy rather than personal disagreements. The organization stressed its commitment to portraying business developments with precision while safeguarding the professional environment for its reporters. Overall, the series of exchanges raised questions about the balance between public scrutiny of business leaders and the boundaries of professional conduct in communications with the media.