Russian Federation

[RU] Bill on the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

IRIS 1998-2:1/18

Theodor D. Kravchenko

Moscow Media Law and Policy Centre

On 14 January 1998 a new Bill `on State administration and support of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company' was given its first reading in the Parliament of the Russian Federation (the Duma). The Bill was tabled by Deputies on the Duma's Information Policy and Communications Committee. The Bill consists of five sections; its main provisions are:

- The All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company is a legal entity in the form of a State company;

- The statutes of the Company must be approved by the Federal Government;

- The Company's assets are State property, and may not be privatised; the Company may dispose of its assets only with the agreement of the Federal Government;

- The head of the Company is to be appointed and dismissed by the Federal President;

- In order to increase State influence and State administration, a supervisory board is to be created;

- The Company must achieve a business profit;

- Advertising is not permitted on the 2nd television channel (channel of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company);

- The Company may not receive donations.

The Duma's legal department reacted negatively to the Bill. According to its experts, a number of points in the Bill are contrary to the Constitution, the Civil Law Book and other federal legislation.

Adoption of the Bill could also have tangible economic consequences, particularly for the Russian advertising market (some 25% of the market); there is therefore a strong lobby in favour of the Bill. The second reading is scheduled for the end of March.