The Health and Social Development Ministry canceled on Tuesday a tender offering 55 million rubles ($1.8 million) to create a web site in just two weeks, but said it acted only to end a media frenzy, Interfax reported.
The tender to develop a social networking site for doctors was aborted because of “the incorrect assessment by the media” and will be rescheduled for an unspecified later date after “a public explanation of its main points,” a ministry representative said.
The tender caused a fuss in the blogosphere, with bloggers claiming that it is impossible to fulfill the assignment in two weeks and suggesting that the tender was rigged.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
