Russia/Broadcasting

RFE/RL: Government prepares state tv reforms to create ' public' networks

"The Culture and Trade and Economic Development ministries are jointly drafting legislation on ' public television and radio' that envisages the transformation of state stations into new public entities, strana.ru reported on 2 August. The draft reportedly sets out "strict obligations as far as objectivity and pluralism of information is concerned," strana.ru reported. Meanwhile, the government is purportedly preparing amendments to the Criminal and Administrative codes that will prescribe punishments for denying access to information or hampering the work of journalists, strana.ru reported."

Source: RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 9, No. 145, Part I, 3 August 2005