Misha Gutkin
Revson Fellow 2002-2003
News Director, NTV America
Consultant, The New York Times
Misha Gutkin is News Director for NTV America and a consultant on the Russian community for The New York Times where he compiles a weekly digest of the Russian émigré press. Born and raised in Leningrad, former USSR, Mr. Gutkin came to the U.S. in 1979 and studied at the University of Akron in Ohio, moving in 1981 to New York City, where he attended New York University. Active in the performing arts in the early 80’s, Mr. Gutkin worked with the Living Theater and the Alchemical Theater, and became involved in Lower East Side Community Board meetings and local political organizing. Perceiving the need to raise awareness of political issues among a largely conservative Russian community, he began to work in print and broadcast journalism, covering the squatter movement and housing issues for various Russian-language media. His reporting expanded to cover national and international events. Now a well-known and respected independent voice in the Russian-speaking community, Mr. Gutkin has worked for over 15 years in television and radio, providing pioneering coverage of controversial social and political issues. As host and producer of several radio and television programs aimed at the Russian community, he has conducted hundreds of interviews with political and cultural figures ranging from Noam Chomsky, Rev. Al Sharpton, Pierre Salinger, and Pedro Almodovar. Recently, he has been the host and producer of the weekly show “One American” on TVRussia Network, profiling unconventional American individuals. He has published articles in New York Newsday, Rossiyskie Vesti, the Forward, and Russian Bazaar. In 2001, he served as campaign advisor to City Council candidate Inna Stavitsky. Mr. Gutkin continues to live on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. As a Revson Fellow, he pursued studies in journalism and at the School of International Affairs.
(The Revson Fellow’s biography that appears above was last updated in 2002. Revson Fellows may update their biographies on this site by sending email to: revson@columbia.edu)
The program helped not only by enhancing my skills as an advocate, but also by plugging me into a dynamic community for social change. Sitting on the Revson selection committee, I have had a unique perspective. I know the incredible quality of the people applying to be Revsons and what they are contributing to the city. A generation of activists has been refreshed and energized and sharpened by the Program.
