Russian Federation

[RU] Decree on the Establishment of a Cultural TV Channel

IRIS 1997-10:1/15

Alexander Scheuer

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

At the end of August, the President of the Russian Federation approved a decree which strengthens the role of State electronic media in order to develop a unified, nationwide sphere of information and re-establish the cultural and educational role of State television. The purpose of the legislation is to enable the government of the Russian Federation, the Russian State television company and the Mayor's Office in St.Petersburg to set up a common pan-Russian State television channel called "Kultura TV".

Pending the setting up of an editorial office, editing responsibility lies with the State Broadcasting Authority ( VGTRK ); the senior editor will be appointed by the President of the Federation. The channel is to be financed by advertising revenues, donations and payments from the budget.

Broadcasting started on 1 November 1997.