Russian Federation

[RU] The Federal Service for Television and Radio Broadcasting Increases Control over Broadcasters

IRIS 1999-2:1/18

Marina Savintseva

Moscow Media Law and Policy Centre

In December 1998, the Federal Service for Television and Radio Broadcasting (FSTR) of the Russian Federation issued two decrees directed at introducing strict control over operations of the broadcasting companies.

The first is "On strengthening state control over broadcasters' compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation relating to television and radio broadcasting, mass media and conditions of the broadcasting licence ".

Under the new form of control, the Department of State Inspection of Television and Radio Broadcasting of the FSTR would issue a warning to broadcasting companies in cases of violation of national legislation on mass media and broadcasting licence conditions. In case of repeated violations the department would issue a warning of licence suspension or annulment.

The Department also prepares writs for law suits if false information is given in licence applications, licence conditions are repeatedly violated, or a licence has been issued by mistake. A broadcasting company can be deprived of its licence if the broadcasting format, the total advertising time, or other licence conditions are changed without the licence being re-registered.

The decree "On the inclusion of the programme concept in the television and radio broadcasting licence" provides for inclusion of the "Programme Concept" as an integral part of the broadcasting licence. Broadcasting companies are to indicate the topics and specialisation of the mass medium, the volume of the broadcasting by category per week (as percentages) and the volume of advertising time