Russian Federation

[RU] Bill on Particularities of Disposition of the Shares of the Stock Company

IRIS 1999-4:1/15

Marina Savintseva

Moscow Media Law and Policy Centre

On 5 March 1999, Russian Parliament adopted after the first reading the Bill on Particularities of Disposition of the Shares of the Stock Company "Public Russian Television (ORT)". The aim of this Bill is to strengthen governmental control over ORT which broadcasts on the first national TV channel. Though the government has the controlling share, its role in ORT is very limited. Hence Article 2 of the bill forbids transfer of ORT shares to foreign states, international organizations, and foreign legal and physical entities. Article 1 of the bill requires that any deals concerning the 51 percent (governmental) share of ORT be based on Federal Law only.