Post-Soviet Media Law & Policy Newsletter

Signs of the Times

Russia

I.  Sagalayev Quits Russian TV and Radio.
II.  Gusinsky to head Media—MOST private company.
III.  Veteran exec Mackin tapped StoryFirst prez.
IV.  NTV on a global expansion track.
V.  VGTRK to launch new transmission company.
VI.  New Government Grants for Media.
VII.  Russian TV picture clearing
VIII.  Journalists Denounce “War of Compromising Materials.”

Belarus

I.  Political Intimidation Continues in Belarus.

Kazakhstan

I.  Fund Established in Memory of murdered U.S. Journalist.
II.  Partial Results of Kazakhstani Frequency Tender.
III.  President defends high tender fees for broadcast licenses.

Ukraine

I.  Crimean viewers receive ORT via satellite.
II.  Government shuts down critical TV programming.
III.  Sanctions for failure to broadcast in Ukrainian.

Bulgaria

I.  Details of Constitutional Court ruling on broadcasting bill.

Czech Republic

I.  “Idiot” did not refer to anyone in particular—Zelezny.
II.  CME to sell part of its TV Nova stake.
III.  Zelezny to receive $100,000 if CME takes control of Nova.
IV.  Television Council Slams Nova for “unethical” pictures of Havel.

Hungary

I.  Campaign group wants media law revised to prevent political intervention.
II.  New media law limits advertising time.
III.  Two Digital Satellite Programs from Hungary.
IV. Government approves television restructuring plan.

Rumania

I.  Rumania to privatize telecoms carrier.

Articles prepared by the faculty of Journalism, Moscow State University, for the International Conference on Media and Politics held in Brussels, Belgium, from February 27 to March 1, 1997:

Media and Politics in Transition: Three Models
The Politics of Religious Media in Russia
The Russian Financial Elite as Media Moguls

What Will Become of the Moscow TV Channel?  An Interview with Anatoly Lysenko

War for Channel Five Looms: Russia Banks Get Set to Battle for Control of National Broadcaster

Council Questions Law in CME-TV Nova Deal

Recent Developments Surrounding the Resignation of Eduard Sagalayev

I.  Outgoing chief explains his resignation.
II.  New Chief Takes over at Troubled State TV.
III.  New head of state broadcasting company takes over.
IV.  Former head of Russia TV opposed to its flotation.
V.  VGTRK chairman to sue for libel over allegations in letter.
VI.  VGTRK chairman Sagalayev criticized in letter by officials.
VII.  Head of broadcasting company says he won’t “organize repressions.”