(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is very concerned about the serious threat to freedom of expression and opinion in Russia posed by the passing of a bill which would tighten state control over the country’s broadcast media by creating a television and radio watchdog. On 17 March 1999, the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly, the Federation […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is very concerned about the serious threat to freedom
of
expression and opinion in Russia posed by the passing of a bill which
would
tighten state control over the country’s broadcast media by creating a
television and radio watchdog.
On 17 March 1999, the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly, the
Federation
Council, approved the bill by 115 votes, with seven against and two
abstentions. The bill, which had been already passed by the lower
chamber
State Duma on 10 March, must now go to the President for signing into
law.
The law “On the Supreme Council for the Protection of Moral Standards in
Television and Radio Broadcasting in the Russian Federation” would
create a
high council comprising of twelve members – three each nominated by the
President, the Government and the two parliamentary chambers – to
protect
moral standards in broadcasting and television. The council would be
empowered to take “appropriate measures” against any television or radio
station broadcasting a programme “liable to enflame social, racial,
national, religious hatred, enmity or superiority, or advocating war,
violence or cruelty.”
IPI understands that although the law would not let the new council ban
the
broadcast of reports or force media companies to co-ordinate with it,
the
council would be able to issue reprimands and impose fines for
broadcasting
material that does not meet “acceptable” moral standards.
IPI believes that the bill seeks a return to censorship and the
centralised
control of the media, and could be used to suppress legitimate news and
opinion, in particular during the campaigns for the parliamentary and
presidential elections scheduled for the end of this year and in
mid-2000,
respectively.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
Appeals To
His Excellency Boris Yeltsin
President of the Russian Federation
Moscow, Russia
Fax: +7095 206 3961 / 206 5137 / 206 0033 / 224 0366
E-mail: president@gov.ru
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
