DATE=2/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / MEDIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259210
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Human rights organizations have long
criticized Russia for its war against the
breakaway Chechen republic. But civilians are not
the only victims of the conflict. Bill Gasperini
in Moscow reports that increasingly, Russia's
newfound freedom of the press appears to be under
attack as well.
TEXT: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union a
decade ago, Russian journalists have enjoyed
relative freedom in a way unheard of under
Communism.
Now, many journalists say that may be changing as
Russian leaders and government institutions
increasingly try to restrict the media.
Coverage of the Chechen war is the clearest
example of what may become a new era under Acting
President Vladimir Putin, former head of state
security.
Since the war began last September, the
government has tightly controlled access to the
front lines in what appears to be an attempt to
limit negative coverage, such as casualties among
Russian troops.
Dozens of foreign and local journalists have been
detained after entering Chechnya without
government approval. Many have had their notes or
recordings reviewed.
This was the case with Anne Nivat of the French
newspaper "Liberation," who says security
officials even thought she could be a spy.
///ACT NIVAT, ESTABLISH FADE UNDER///
She says, "They wanted to know all of my
contacts, who I had met, and what they had told
me after meeting them."
The most publicized case is that of Andrei
Babitsky, a correspondent for U-S-funded Radio
Liberty who is still missing after being detained
in Chechnya last month.
Later, Mr. Babitsky was allegedly exchanged to
Chechen fighters for several Russian soldiers, an
action human rights groups say violates
international law.
But it could be even worse. Many fear the
exchange may have been staged, and that Mr.
Babitsky has actually been killed.
In another high-publicity case, police tried to
force an investigative reporter into a
psychiatric hospital. The reporter says this
happened because he was exposing corruption.
State security services also monitor the
Internet, another example of what many reporters
say is Soviet-style surveillance.
Acting President Putin denies this, saying he
wants to guarantee press freedom.
But most journalists say actions speak louder
than words as Russia moves ahead into an
uncertain future. (Signed)
NEB/BG/GE
16-Feb-2000 06:26 AM EDT (16-Feb-2000 1126 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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