According to him, Chechnya's printing industry had been fully ruined over the years of conflict.
"By now the situation has radically changed - three-four years ago we did all the printing outside Chechnya. This year, in addition to newspapers and magazines we are going to start printing hard-cover books in Chechnya," Mikhail Seslavinsky pointed out.
"40 printed publications including 34 newspapers and 6 magazines have been registered in Chechnya to date," head of the federal agency said.
He stressed that in 2006 his agency plans to shift focus toward supporting publications pursuing socially vital issues.
"Our job is not to bring forth a multitude of programs. We must ensure that dozens of newspapers, radio stations and TV channels start effective operation in the republic. The people of Chechnya must live in a situation of media comfort," he said.
In addition, Seslavinsky pointed out, it is necessary to develop a network of FM radio stations as the potential of this frequency range remains virtually untapped in Chechnya. "Young people willingly listen to FM radio stations as the latter feature their favourite music and provide an opportunity to communicate with their peers," Seslavinsky said.
According to seminar participants, the Free Chechnya radio station, in operation since 2000, remains one of the most popular in the republic.
