RUSSIA: HEAD OF INDEPENDENT TV NETWORK FIRED

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06557560
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 31, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-01256
• Publication Date: January 18, 2003

Approved for Release' 2016/11/08 C06557560
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Russia: Head of Independent TV Network Fired
DIRECTORATE OF ANALYSIS
18 January 2003
The Board of Directors of Gazprom-Media yesterday dismissed the head of NTV, Russia's largest nonstate
television network, as general director of the network's parent company, according to press reports. He almost
certainly will lose his NTV position in the near future. The director and NTV have been under fire from President Putin
and other officials since the Moscow hostage crisis last October
� Most independent observers characterized NTV's coverage as the best of the major Russian networks, but
presidential chief of staff Voloshin and Press Minister Lesin had shown Putin selective
excerpts to make it appear that the network had endangered the rescue operation
The Putin administration has worked steadily during the past three years to limit information flows and political
debate.Managing the television networks�the medium through which most Russians receive their news�has been a top
priority.
� According to press reports, Kremlin officials meet weekly with the heads of the main federal television networks to
instruct them how to cover certain stories.
� Control of network news will be crucial in shaping public perceptions going into the Duma campaign this year and the
presidential election next year. Kremlin officials are concerned about the electoral chances of the pro-Putin United
Russia party, which has stalled in the polls, according to Russian press reports.
The dismissal appears to be a victory for the Yeltsin-era Kremlin faction, including Voloshin and Lesin, which has
remained in place under Putin. This faction has fought opponents linked to the security services and their business allies
for influence and assets. A bank reportedly associated with the security services last fall bought 49 percent of NTV's parent
company, suggesting the struggle for control of NW is not over.
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A DA PRODUCT: OTHER
PWR011803-09 0641A9A17C9B530185256CB20048A4E7
Publication Date: 18 Jan 2003
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Approved for Release: 2016/11/08 C06557560