Press Minister Lesin: NTV Developments Have Positive Effect On Media

Russian Press Minister Mikhail Lesin believes that developments around the NTV television company have produced a positive effect on the mass media reducing their politicking and strengthening their financial-economic independence. Lesin told newsmen Tuesday that the NTV developments "have produced a positive effect, reducing the politicking of the mass media and making them reassess their own positions on many questions, above all, those regarding their economic and financial independence". In the future many media companies will be able to prevent such problems, he said. The situation around the mass media is altogether good, the advertising market is increasing promoting the development of both the print and electronic media. The Press Minister added that the growth of the advertising market will also have influence on mass media independence.