Russian Radio Stations Must Be Given Access to US Airwaves Before Radio Liberty Can Expand Its Broadcasting in Russia

It is unlikely that radio station Liberty will be expanding its broadcasting in Russia in the near future. This was announced on Tuesday, January 28, by First Deputy Russian Press Minister Mikhail Seslavinsky at a meeting with Jeffrey Hirschberg, a member of the US Broadcasting Board of Governors, and Radio Liberty Director for Policy and Strategic Planning Jeff Trimble. As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the Russian Ministry for the Press, Television and Radio Broadcasting, the question of Radio Liberty expanding its broadcasting rights in Russia had been raised by representatives of the radio station. However, Mr Seslavinsky said that 'it is unlikely that this will happen at the moment in view of the fact that Russian radio stations, in particular Golos Rossiyi [The Voice of Russia], still have no access to US airwaves as a result of US statutory limitations. Any steps taken in this area should be of a reciprocal nature,' he emphasised. Mr Seslavinsky added that Russia had given Radio Liberty access to Russian airwaves a long time ago, suggesting that the USA should make a similar move. 'The USA must now take the initiative by working together with Russian media on US territory,' he said.