BRUSSELS — Communications Minister Igor Shchyogolev said Tuesday that the government would take over funding for regional media outlets in a bid to wean them from the control of local authorities, a year before State Duma elections.
President Dmitry Medvedev last week ordered regions to sell off assets including the media to help fund post-crisis spending and clean up local government. The proposal has met resistance from some governors who view state ownership of the media as an important political tool, especially ahead of the December 2011 Duma vote.
Shchyogolev said the federal government could step in with funding for regional media in what he described as a “transition period” to ease them from dependence on local authorities and toward privatization. “The state would like to support the [regional] media during the transition period until they become financially independent, so that they do not depend on regional interests,” he said.
(Reuters)
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.
