Uniform rules for mass-media

On September 17, Minister of the Russian Federation on press, telebroadcasting and communications Mikhail Lesin visited Kazan.

The same day he had a meeting with Tatarstan President M.Shaimiev, during which they discussed the development of mass media both in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Tatarstan. Special attention was given to the issues of the development of national culture and preservation of spiritual heritage, development of mass media and book-printing in the Tatar language. According to M.Lesin, President Vladimir Putin gave him an assignment to support them after a meeting with representatives of delegations of the III World Tatar Congress. M.Lesin noted a stable position of mass media in Tatarstan, absence of any pressure upon mass media both on the part of the republican leadership and local authorities. To promote national broadcasting, M.Lesin offered resources on the TV channel "Kultura" and radio - for programs in the Tatar language. In the near future a special group is to be created to prepare these programs.