"CENSORSHIP WORK UNBEARABLE": ACTIVITIES OF THE VILNA INTERIM COMMITTEE FOR THE PRESS (1907-1914)
The research highlights functioning of the Vilna Interim Committee for the Press as a part of censorship system in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. The conflict between liberal and conservative views characteristic of the whole society has been traced on the basis of the relations within the Committee. The criticism of the Provisional Rules of the 24 <sup>th</sup> of November in 1905 and liberalization of the legislation by conservative-minded censors has been viewed. The general description of composition and functional responsibilities of inspectors for the press has been given. The contradiction between inspection performed by the Committee and military censorship has been revealed. The legal grounds for criminal proceedings have been studied. The group of mass media persecuted by the Vilna Interim Committee has been singled out.