Further memorandum submitted by Sergei
Cristo
Previously submitted evidence regarding the
future of the BBC World Service in Russia. [106]Following
yesterday's news that the BBC was taken off air by the Russian
authorities (a relevant article from today's Daily Telegraph
is pasted below for your information), I would like to respectfully
request the members of the Committee to note again the relevant
points I have made in the written evidence that was submitted
in June this year. [107]In
that document, I have informed the Committee that the BBC is placing
the Russian Service in a vulnerable position by broadcasting through
Russian radio stations. I have highlighted the relevant passages
in the document, which is attached, namely:
"Having entrusted the transmission of its
programmes to radio channels owned by the Russian authorities,
the BBC faces a constant risk of being taken off the air by them
when they consider it appropriate. ...
"Whilst developing relationships with local
Russian radio stations was a good idea under the Yeltsin government,
when the Russian media enjoyed relative freedom and editorial
independence from the authorities, in Putin's Russia this approach
no longer makes any sense. ...
"One way of strengthening the BBC Russian
Service's independence from the Russian authorities is for the
Corporation to invest considerably more in their medium wave transmitters
(which are currently too weak) and step up its campaign for its
own licence to broadcast on FM frequency in Moscow and St Petersburg—in
line with its competitor, the US-funded Radio Liberty.
"18. In addition, the Foreign Office, instead
of distancing itself from the problem, should have the right of
veto over the choice of re-broadcasters in Russia and reject any
deals that could potentially put the BBC's editorial independence
under pressure from the Kremlin."
I hope that in the light of yesterday's events,
which point to the above analysis being correct, the Committee
would critically examine the BBC World Service's rebroadcasting
policy in Russia and, perhaps, recommend extra resources available
for obtaining a licence for the Russian Service's own FM frequency
in Moscow and St Petersburg. Please do let me know if I can be
of further help.
18 August 2007
106 Ev 162 Back
107
Ev 162 Back
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