| The YABLOKO faction opposes the changes to the law
"On the Mass Media" proposed by the Central Electoral
Commission. The amendments refer to the work of the mass media during
election campaigns.
These amendments represent another step towards total liquidation
of freedom of speech in Russia.
The repressive measures applied to the mass media for violations
of far-fetched and excessive restrictions will make it possible
to selectively apply the law as an instrument to suppress dissenting
journalists, candidates and parties.
Honest elections are threatened by arbitrary rule of the authorities
rather than the work of journalists. Mass media reports on election
campaign outside of propaganda materials represent the most important
tool ensuring public control over the actions of bureaucracy.
If these amendments come into force, this will not only fail
to guarantee open elections, but will also create additional possibilities
to exploit the administrative resource to suppress independent
mass media.
The amendment entitling web licensing agencies to revoke a license,
if the license-holder commits "repeated violations"
of the laws on elections and referendums causes our special concern.
This amendment de facto provides the executive authorities with
judiciary functions, whereas the court should remain the only
body establishing whether a law has been violated.
YABLOKO calls on all State Duma deputies who consider support
for citizens more important than the "administrative resource"
to vote against the amendments, which introduce repressions against
the dissenting mass media, and candidates and parties independent
of the authorities, as well as their electorate.
March 21, 2003
Head of the faction
Grigory Yavlinsky
* The statement was made in connection with the State Duma review
(on March 21, 2003, in the first reading) of the draft law "On
Changes to Some Legislative Acts in Connection with the Adoption
of the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Franchise and
the Right to Participate in a Referendum for the Citizens of the
RF". The draft law was developed by the Central Electoral
Commission and submitted to the State Duma by the President of
the Russian Federation.
See also:
Freedom
of Speech and Media Law in Russia
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