Russian television channels should independently decide their priorities in editorial policy, President Medvedev said on Friday in his live TV interview.
Medvedev unexpectedly brought up the subject with the editors of the three main state TV channels.
"Lately, there are lots of rebukes in the electronic media asking TV why it 'filters' information, that it doesn't give the truth, that it needs special permission for what it shows or doesn't show. And this means that in spite of the fact that we have great television, the news feed is poor and doesn't show what it should, and is not the free word. What can you say about this issue?" Medvedev asked.
"The question of freedom is a very intimate one. It's all the same to ask someone if he is happy. I think that freedom is a feeling inside, and that question can be answered by everyone who works in media individually," NTV channel's General Director Vladimir Kulistikov answered.
"I can say that I have always been free, when I worked in media; and in television. When I worked in Radio Freedom I was also free even if you don't cheer for the Americans, it's very strong there," he added.
"There is an editorial policy and it can be discussed, but this is not a question of freedom, because television's job is to be in dangerous situations, only free people can take risks. Without freedom, there couldn't be TV like ours," Kulistikov said.
Medvedev said the priority regarding information should be decided by television channels alone.
"Channels themselves should give the priorities - what is most important, what is less important, because sometimes I hear criticisms - 'why don't they show this at once?'. This question of editorial policy, which you consider more important," Medvedev said
"Freedom is given to us as a feeling, but there is the law of the genre and the law of the state and in that regard you are absolutely right, these laws should not only in Russia but everywhere," he added.
"But in my view there shouldn't be a gap between the most important events, which take place in life, and those things which they show on the news," Medvedev said.
"I think that freedom on television is limited. It's limited in law, presentation in what is liked by those in power, in work with civil structures. It's limited by subjectivity of people - not just us managers of the channels but a huge number of people who work in television," said Channel One Director Konstantin Ernst.
Medvedev said there should be no gap between news on TV and other forms of media, in particular the internet.
"But in my view, that's how it is at the moment," Medvedev said.
MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti)
