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WASHINGTON - The shutdown of independent Moscow station TV6
is a continuing concern for President George W. Bush, the White
House said Thursday.
Bush has raised the subject of free media consistently with
Russian President Vladimir Putin, dating back to their first meeting
in Slovenia last summer, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Fleischer did not say whether Bush had contacted Putin about
the Media Ministry's decision to unplug the station. But, he said,
"At every stage along the process, as the free media have
faced hurdles and difficulties in Russia, the administration has
directly contacted the Russians, has directly spoken out."
"It remains a point of concern," Fleischer said.
A court ordered TV6 to close earlier this month in response
to a suit by a minority shareholder, which said the station failed
to bring a profit. The Media Ministry delayed enforcing the court
order amid frenzied negotiations with TV6 journalists hoping to
stay on the air.
The ministry finally pulled the plug Monday after the journalists
reneged on a compromise deal to sever ties with owner Boris Berezovsky
- a Kremlin critic - in exchange for broadcasting rights.
See also:
TV6
case
Media
Law in Russia
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