(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI press release: 23 June 2000 Open letter to President Putin places Russia on “IPI Watch List” In the following open letter to President Putin, the International Press Institute placed the Russian Federation on the newly created “IPI Watch List”: Your Excellency, The International Press Institute (IPI), the global […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI press release:
23 June 2000
Open letter to President Putin places Russia on “IPI Watch List”
In the following open letter to President Putin, the International Press Institute placed the Russian Federation on the newly created “IPI Watch List”:
Your Excellency,
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and journalists, is writing to inform Your Excellency that due to the recent incidents of harassment and intimidation of the media, Russia has been placed on the “IPI Watch List”.
Despite initial comments by Your Excellency that freedom of the press would be encouraged, IPI believes that Your Excellency’s words have not been matched by firm deeds. IPI is particularly disturbed by the apparent sea change that has occurred in the new Russian government’s approach to the media. While – to some extent – a climate of openness previously existed in Russia this has now all but vanished.
The deterioration in press freedom has manifested itself in a series of disturbing incidents including threats to block the renewal of licenses, the government’s attempts to replace independent journalists with obedient political appointees and plans to require licensing of newspapers. When viewed as a unified whole, these incidents appear to be calculated acts of intimidation designed to silence critical reporting.
IPI, therefore, appeals to Your Excellency to do everything within your power to persuade your government as well as various judicial and administrative institutions, to halt these attacks and bring about a swift return to the democratic principles of a free and open media.
In view of the above-mentioned situation, IPI has decided to express its solidarity with the Russian media by making Russia the first country to be placed on the “IPI Watch List”.
The “Watch List” is a mechanism for identifying regressive tendencies in countries around the world. It is designed for countries that have successfully made progress in the transition to democratic societies but are presently facing the danger of returning to their old ways. At this point in time, IPI firmly believes that Russia is such a country.
The guiding principle behind the “Watch List” is to reach out to countries before they slide back into repression. On this basis, IPI will from now on closely monitor the progress of press freedom in Russia. The IPI board will assess the general situation twice a year; Russia may be removed from the “Watch List” if there is proof that significant advances have been made in freedom of the press.
We thank you for your attention.
Johann P. Fritz
Director
