[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONDUCTING A FRONTAL ASSAULT AGAINST FREEDOM 
                              OF THE PRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely concerned about the very 
disturbing reports from Russia which indicate that Kremlin authorities 
are intimidating, harassing and attempting to control the nation's news 
media. These unwarranted attacks have been directed primarily at Media-
Most, which is the largest and most successful privately-owned 
television and publishing company in Russia.
  Democracy and freedom are still new and largely untested in Russia, 
and efforts are still underway to develop firmly rooted democratic 
institutions. Until now, however, press freedom has been one of the 
early successes in Russia's transformation from a totalitarian society 
to one that permits true freedom, including free speech and uncensored 
news reporting.
  Mr. Speaker, any efforts to impose government censorship or control 
over any news media--and particularly over private news organizations--
would be a tragic and serious setback for democratization in Russia. 
The news media must be free to report, even when that it is critical of 
the government. There is absolutely no justification for government 
agencies to threaten media companies as a means of controlling what is 
reported in the news.
  I want to report to my colleagues in the Congress about recent 
disturbing actions by the Russian government that seem to be directed 
at some of the most professionally respected news organizations in 
Russia. Reports from Moscow indicate that the Director of Presidential 
Administration, Mr. Alexander Voloshin, is engaged in a personal 
campaign against the prestigious NTV and other private media 
enterprises because he is dissatisfied with how the news media are 
covering the government and its activities.
  It has been widely reported by wire services that the Federal Tax 
Policy Service of the Russian Federation is relentlessly monitoring the 
financial and economic activities of privately owned television 
companies, publishing houses, and other mass media outlets. The Russian 
Government appears to be involved in a campaign of targeting these news 
organizations in order to undertake investigations or other legal of 
quasi-legal actions against those who own or operate independent news 
media outlets.

  Mr. Speaker, another form of harassment has been an effort to censor 
the media. Just this month, the Russian Government established the 
Ministry for Publishing, Television and Radio aimed at 
``consolidating'' the government's ``ideological work.'' That last 
phrase, Mr. Speaker is a chilling throw-back to conditions under the 
totalitarian Soviet regime, when the government and Communist Party 
made a concerted and successful effort to strictly control and censor 
all news media under the rubic of ``ideological work.''
  The head of this new ministry is a ``press czar'' who has been 
equipped with power to oversee and possibly censure the content of news 
reports and other information programs in Russia. This is a frightening 
prospect for all news organizations--and particularly for privately 
owned independent media--who could lose their freedom to report news as 
they see it. This censorship effort could be particularly destructive 
during periods of increased political activity, such as national 
election campaigns.
  Mr. Speaker, the situation today in Russia is especially precarious 
given President Yeltsin's fragile health and the absence of strong 
leadership at the national level. This has been clearly demonstrated by 
the fact that President Yeltsin has dismissed three Prime Ministers in 
the past two years. With the upcoming parliamentary elections in 
December 1999 and presidential elections in June 2000, the situation is 
expected to become even more politically charged and volatile.
  It would appear, Mr. Speaker, that the newly launched effort to 
control and/or censure the media in Russia is in large part explained 
by these upcoming elections. With the beginning of serious political 
activity over the next year in connection with the parliamentary and 
presidential elections, Kremlin authorities have accelerated their 
offensive against NTV and other independent news outlets. One of the 
clearest indications of this struggle is the fact that the state-owned 
television network ORT is using its news programs to undermine 
privately-owned rival television network.
  Mr. Speaker, I have consistently supported U.S. programs to assist 
Russia to get back on its feet economically, to develop strong private 
institutions, and to establish a functioning market-oriented economy. 
All of us want to see Russia succeed and become a strong and viable 
democratic country which plays a positive role in the community of 
nations. Respect for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, 
however, are absolutely essential if we are to assist Russia, and an 
uncensored press is essential if Russia is to take its appropriate 
place in the world.
  I call upon President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Sergei 
Stepashin to take quick and decisive action to end once and for all the 
efforts within the Kremlin to punish, intimidate or threaten 
independent news reporting in Russia. The government must also end its 
policy of favoritism by rewarding those who gratuitously promote the 
official Kremline line.
  Mr. Speaker, with the critical parliamentary and presidential 
elections coming up in Russia during the next twelve months, the 
Russian government must do everything in its power to insure free and 
fair reporting of all political events. Freedom of expression and 
freedom of the press are absolutely essential for any democratic 
nation. Russia's international reputation and its position among the 
community of nations depend on how it deals with this most serious 
threat to its democracy.

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