#6534
#5
Kommersant
November 5, 2002
THE MEDIA: YOUR OPINION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS?
Interviews with chief editors of some national newspapers
Author: not indicated
[from WPS Monitoring Agency, www.wps.ru/e_index.html]
THE MEDIA MINISTRY HAS RELEASED NEW GUIDELINES FOR COVERAGE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS AND EMERGENCIES. SIX NEWSPAPER EDITORS-IN-CHIEF COMMENT ON THESE NEW RULES. IS THIS A NEW FORM OF CENSORSHIP? ARE GUIDELINES NECESSARY? WILL JOURNALISTS ACTUALLY FOLLOW THEM?
Vladimir Sungorkin, Komsomolskaya Pravda Chief Editor: I cannot call this nonsense, because I've seen a lot of stupid things done by our TV colleagues from the NTV and TVS channels. I was amazed by Kiselev's Itogi program on Sunday - where so much was said in support of the Chechens but never a word about the fact that Russians had problems too. That is why the document drafted by the Media Ministry is essential, of course, even though the teachers (the ministry) and students (journalists) do not really differ that much.
Tatiana Lysova, Vedomosti Chief Editor: It's a strange document. It should be a precise instruction but the Media Ministry came up with a list of some vague guidelines. All these phrases about "not to impede, to be aware, not to sow panic, avoid, bear in mind" etc are actually an affront. Neither do I like the words that "journalists are not supposed to comment on the dilettantish level, without professional consultations." Sure, a journalist may know nothing about special operations but what do special services know about journalism?
Dmitry Muratov, Novaya Gazeta Chief Editor: I'm not going to follow recommendations of a small and unconstitutional structure. I do not take money from the Media Ministry, do not rent premises from it, and do not find it interesting at all. What I want to know is where it was when mail and delivery tariffs were raised or when the Duma was adopting the law on the media and other laws...
Leonid Kravchenko, Parlamentskaya Gazeta Chief Editor: Generally speaking, the guidelines are correct. Journalists should have self- control and self-restrictions - this is the kernel of the document. Having tasted freedom, however, many journalists cross the line of what is permitted all too easily... I'm afraid that the release of these recommendations will result in a wave of demagoguery and objections about it being a new form of censorship. I do not view it as censorship. This is a call for self-control and decency. We should always think in terms of consequences, in our line of work.
Rustam Arifdzhanov, Versiya Chief Editor: Some colleagues of mine are worried. In my view, however, this is an ordinary document that does not really mean anything, something drafted by the Media Ministry in response to complaints from the upper echelons of govnerment about the media becoming too free.
Alexander Prokhanov, Zavtra Chief Editor: Guidelines are essential, because hostages are taken in order to spread fear, and make the authorities hesitate in fear for the hostages. I am sorry for the journalists who will not be permitted to show Russian adults weeping in fear while proud "freedom fighters" sneer. Journalists do not even need officially imposed restrictions. They are always exceptionally sensitive to the whims of the authorities, they turn on self-censorship all on their own. Be sorry for soldiers, not for journalists.
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