Government Of Russia Against Limits On TV Advertising

Mikhail Seslavinsky, first deputy minister of press, confirmed the negative attitude of the Government to the draft law prescribing limitations on advertising opportunities of TV companies. RIA Novosti correspondent reports that, speaking in the State Duma (Lower House of the Parliament) on Friday at the discussion on the topic "Improving Laws Regulating Advertising", Mr. Seslavinsky said that revenues from commercial breaks in feature films yield 60% to 80% of the total revenues of TV companies from advertising. The deputy minister stressed that Government of Russia sticks to its position concerning the federal draft law "On Amendments and Additions to Federal Law on Advertising", which has already passed the first reading in the Duma. "Prohibition of commercial breaks in radio plays, feature films, and educational programs will make it impossible for radio and TV companies to purchase the rights for their showing and broadcasting," noted Mr. Seslavinsky. The Government of the Russian Federation suggests that the law in force should remain unchanged as regards placement of commercials in radio and TV shows, as well as in demonstrations of feature films. There are 2.5 thousand TV and radio companies in this country, and about 25 thousand mass media of different kinds, stressed Mr. Seslavinsky, and most of them survive with insignificant help from the state.