The march away from the democratic aspirations that came following the collapse of the Soviet Union in Russia continues. The latest attack on free media is reported by the International Press Institute:
Independent Russian television channel may be forced to stop broadcasting
MOSCOW, Oct 12, 2012 – Independent Russian television channel Sovershenno Sekretno (“Top Secret”) TV said it is facing closure after a state-owned broadcaster indicated that it would terminate a contract to carry the channel’s signal next March, some 20 months early.
The 24-hour channel – which was launched six years ago and reaches 15 million people in Russia, the CIS, the Baltic States and Israel by cable and satellite – is known for its independent reporting, openness, high professional standards and high-quality on-air hosts.
The attacks on freedom of speech, press and assembly have been well documented. Freedom House assesses the situation in Russia in its annual reports.
- FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: Russia (Not Free)
- FREEDOM IN THE WORLD: Russia (Not Free)
- FREEDOM ON THE NET: Russia (Partly Free)
