Vladimir Putin Underscores Necessity of Creating in Russia Really Independent and Objective Mass Media

Russian leader Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian journalists on the Russian Press Day.

Below is the text of the President's congratulatory message received from the press service of the head of the state.

"Dear friends,

"I congratulate you on the Russian Press Day. On January 13, 1703, the first newspaper came off the press in Russia. During the past three centuries Russian journalism has covered a great path, and its strong professional traditions have been formed. At the crucial turning points in history Russian journalists more than once demonstrated examples of civil courage and loyalty to their work.

"Not a single state can exist without publicity and openness which are ensured above all by the mass media, following the strict norms of professional ethics. They maintain a constructive dialogue with the authorities and in many respects exert a decisive influence on public opinion.

"Our common task today is to create the really independent mass media which would rest on a firm economic basis and would be capable to correctly and objectively reflect the complicated processes in our country and abroad.

"I wish you success, good health and everything good."