"United Russia" calls to keep rights of journalists
Mass media "must contribute to creation in the society of the atmosphere of intolerance to all manifestations of xenophobia, nationalism and extremism and not to give the platform to persons, confessing the ideology of fascism and national superiority ". The deputy chief of Northwest interregional coordination council of the party "United Russia" Yevgeny Samoilov stated this on Thursday. He participated in the session of "round table" on the theme - "If mass media capable of playing positive role in the increase of tolerances in the society?"
At the same time, in the opinion of Samoilov, it cannot be allowed power structures, using its administrative resource, to punish the disagreeable journalists and the publications, being covered by the idea of combating of terrorism and extremism.
The general director of Association of the media "Northwest" Ivan Benz, who participated in the debates, supported the politician. As an example he gave criminal case, which was instituted in Vologda against the editor of the local newspaper "Our region" Anna Smirnova. "Of course, law court must put the final point in this matter, but, judging by what we know, it is not excluded, that it occurs getting back at the oppositional publication" said Benz.
He informed the gathered people that the newspaper scandal in Vologda was discussed the day before in the Petersburg House of journalist, where was held the seminar of the editor in chiefs of printed media of northwest. "Press is perturbed by the aroused situation and expresses anxiety with the freedom of word in the Russian media" noted Benz.
As it was reported, on 15 February the Vologda newspaper "Our region" published material "The caricature war: opinions". As the illustration to it was made the collage from the caricatures depicting people in the Arab clothing. In several days the criminal case for article 282, part 2, point "b" of Criminal code RF ("the institution by national, racial or religious hostility by face with the use of his official position") was instituted against the editor of the newspaper, and founder closed the publication. Smirnova is threatened with the imprisonment for the period from 3 to 5 years.
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