Doc. 8803
8 July 2000

Freedom of the media in Russia

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Ivanenko and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly is concerned about the increasing pressure on the free media in Russia, for example the case of Mr Babitski, restrictions on the access of journalists to Chechnya, the situation around the Media Most group and the arrest of Mr Gusinski and the physical attacks on journalists and the lack of proper and quick reaction of the authorities to such attacks, etc.

2.       The Assembly expresses its support to those media in Russia that are based on the principles of human rights and democracy. The Assembly considers it important that the people of Russia have access to pluralist opinions and information.

3.       The Assembly considers it necessary that the hearings on freedom of the media in Russia continue. The Assembly proposes that the question of freedom of the media in Russia be discussed in the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Committee on Culture and Education and a report on the subject be debated by the Assembly.

Signed ¹ :

Ivanenko, Russia, LDR

Auken, Denmark, UEL

Cilevics, Latvia, SOC

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Einarsson, Sweden, UEL

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Kiely, Ireland, LDR

Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Lotz, Hungary, SOC

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Shishlov, Russia, LDR

Stepová, Czech Republic, SOC

Tallo, Estonia, SOC

Van der Linden, Netherlands, EPP/CD

_______________

¹       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group