Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1-17-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S/RUSSIA/MEDIA (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=298517

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States expressed deep concern Friday about the firing of U-S businessman Boris Jordan as head of the media wing of the state-dominated Russian energy corporation, Gazprom. Critics in Moscow allege the move is an attempt to curb the independence of the Russian television network N-T-V. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Executives of the Gazprom conglomerate insist that the firing of Mr. Jordan was strictly a business decision, and unrelated to the editorial policies of the N-T-V subsidiary.

But critics in Moscow are alleging that the replacement of the U-S-born businessman, a major figure in the Russian media and financial scene for a decade, was a politically-motivated move, aimed at ensuring pro-Kremlin news coverage in advance of parliamentary elections later this year.

At a briefing here, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said U-S officials have been monitoring the situation, and share the concern that the departure of Mr. Jordan might affect N-T-V's free-wheeling news coverage.

/// BOUCHER ACT ///

We have heard these reports. We're deeply concerned. We note that, under the direction of Boris Jordan, an American citizen of Russian descent, N-T-V has grown into one of the most lively, vibrant and independent voices on the Russian airwaves. We strongly hope that N-T-V will retain this independent spirit under its new management.

We'd be very much concerned were the management to change -- were a management change to presage a change in N-T-V's editorial independence. Independent media voices are a critical part of democratic society.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Boucher said the United States is also concerned by reports of Russian government influence in Mr. Jordan's dismissal, which he said, if true "would constitute a serious blow to Russia's independent media."

Reports from Moscow say that while he was dismissed as the head of Gazprom's media wing, Mr. Jordan technically remained head of the N-T-V network though a Gazprom spokesman said management changes at the station can be expected soon.

Russian media observers say Mr. Jordan may have been punished for N-T-V's aggressive coverage of last October's takeover of a Moscow theater by Chechen gunmen, and generally-critical reporting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's handling of the Chechnya conflict.

The United States had expressed concern in the past about N-T-V's journalistic independence, in particular two years ago, when its parent company was taken over by the Gazprom monopoly, which is largely government-owned. (Signed)

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