Russia/Newspapers



RFE/RL: NEW OWNER DISCUSSES PLANS FOR 'NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA

"Konstantin Remchukov, who recently purchased the daily ' Nezavisimaya gazeta,'
told Ekho Moskvy radio on 8 August that he plans to retain the newspaper's general director, Rustam Narzikulov, and Editor in Chief Tatyana Koshkareva. Narzikulov and Koshkareva have run the newspaper since 2001, when the previous owner, Boris Berezovskii, fired Vitalii
Tretyakov, who had edited ' Nezavisimaya gazeta' since its creation in 1990."

"Remchukov said he will search for new leadership at the daily only if Narzikulov and Koshkareva decline his offer. He also praised the newspaper's current journalists, but said he plans to hire additional writers. Remchukov explained that he sees ' Nezavisimaya gazeta' occupying a market niche for ' quality interpretation and analysis,' rather than competing with major news agencies and Internet news sources. "

"Technically, Remchukov's wife, Yelena Remchukova, is the owner of the newspaper, because Remchukov's position as adviser in the Economic Development and Trade Ministry restricts his outside business activities (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 5 August 2005). However, Remchukova has not spoken publicly about the daily and appears unlikely to play an active management role. In contrast, Remchukov speaks freely in interviews about his reasons for buying the newspaper "just business," he claims, not politics and his plans. "

Source:

(RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 9, No. 149, Part I, 9 August 2005)