Vladimir Putin calls for creating legislative basis for mass media in Russia

Vladimir Putin has called for creating a clear legislative basis for mass media in Russia. When speaking on Tuesday at the meeting with the delegates of the All-Russian conference "Mass Media Industry: Direction of Reforms," he pointed out that "today many clauses of the law 'On Mass Media' and other industry regulations contradict the norms of the civil, labour and administrative law." "Legislative inconsistency hampers attracting honest strategic investors to the sphere," he stressed.

Besides, "it is a ground for inter-corporate conflicts, that are concealed or even exposed to the audience," Putin said. "This is a nutrient medium for the officials' arbitrariness," he added.

The president also touched upon the legislative norms concerning foreign capital on the domestic mass media market. "I believe this issue is certainly discussed among yourselves," he said, addressing the participants of the meeting.

"In many countries there is a limitation on foreign capital activities in some sectors, that have the greatest influence on the national audience and are related to the state information policy," Putin said.

He stressed that it was "a delicate issue." "Realizing this position should not prevent the business from developing," he assured.