Today's decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Arbitration
Court of the RF to liquidate the TV6 television company confirms
the worst apprehensions on the prospects of independent media
in Russia. This decision can be put at the same level as last
year's destruction of NTV and the recent verdict on Grigory Pasko.
The legislation in our country and the judicial system are structured
so that the rights of economic entities always gain precedence
over the rights of creative collectives at television and the
interests of millions of television viewers. Complete negligence
by the courts of the citizens' rights to freely receive and disseminate
information envisaged by Article 29 of the Constitution has become
normal practice. There is no doubt that the liquidation of TV6
will lead to a chain reaction of persecution of independent mass
media in the regions.
The Russian Democratic Party "YABLOKO" continues its
political campaign in support of free media and independent journalists.
The campaign will include the submission to the State Duma of
legislative initiatives aimed at creating legal guarantees on
the freedom of the mass media, as well as political actions in
many Russian regions.
Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party "YABLOKO"
Grigory Yavlinsky
January 11, 2002
See also:
TV6 case
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