15:42, 4 July 2008

Khatazhukov: share of state-run newspapers should be reduced in Kabardino-Balkaria

Speaking at the first sitting on mass media and freedom of speech of the Public-Advisory Board (PAB) under the President of Kabardino-Balkaria, Valery Khatazhukov, chairman of the Public Human Rights Centre, has stated that the role of the state in sphere of mass media should be restricted.

Mr Khatazhukov has noted that prior to speaking about mass media one should understand, for whom and why they work: "We should outgo from the fact that the right to obtain objective and truthful information is guaranteed by the Constitution, which, besides, forbids any censorship."

"The Republic abounds in state-owned newspapers, and practically has no independent press," the human rights activist said. He has suggested to preserve three state-run newspapers in Russian and national languages, and to denationalize and send into "free navigation" the rest of them.

Author: Luiza Orazayeva, CK correspondent