Friday, August 12, 2005

Russia/Foreign Correspondence


RIA Novosti: Russia could reduce Radio Liberty's correspondent network

"The Russian Foreign Ministry may take measures to reduce the number of correspondents working for Radio Liberty/ Free Europe after its journalist Andrei Babitsky interviewed Russia's most wanted terrorist, Shamil Basayev, for U.S. television network ABC."

"A spokesman for the ministry said ABC's assertion that the interview had been broadcast at Babitsky's initiative was ridiculous."

"According to the source, RL/FE used loopholes in Russian legislation in the sector of information and immense foreign resources to create an extensive network of freelance correspondents in Russia. The spokesman said this was prohibited by Russian media laws."

"The source said the Foreign Ministry would consider the possibility of restricting the activity of the radio station's correspondents in Russia."

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