OREANDA-NEWS. July 1, 2009. Vladimir Putin: Mr Shchegolev, you have recently attended the 11th World Congress of the Russian Press. How did the event go?

Igor Shchegolev: This time, the Congress was held in Lucerne, Switzerland. As you know, journalists writing in Russian annually meet in different countries. Moscow hosted the jubilee 10th Congress last year. The number of delegates has increased since then. At present, the World Russian Press Association comprises about 80 countries. The Congress involved over 250 delegates from 52 countries who exchanged opinions on their shared challenges and tasks, as well as the experience they acquired. In truth, everyone is faced with certain difficulties. Print runs are being reduced in some places. While journalists work in extremely compact publications, they work according to very cost-effective system. There are many good journalists among congress delegates who are doing a lot to popularise the Russian language. We discussed the possibility of Russia offering assistance to them.

I spoke to the Minister of Education and Science, Mr Andrei Fursenko, after returning to Russia. We will provide quotas to journalists to train in their profession at Russian colleges and universities. Moreover, we are now developing a website design programme for Russian regional publications. Many readers are trying to find their favourite publication online as we witness the decline in demand for printed media. This website design programme can create websites virtually free of charge. Such websites can attract readers and additional advertising. We even discussed prospects for merging these websites into one large portal, something which would increase their readership and would also heed the interests of advertisers.

We have already discussed these measures with them. I have already asked for the advice of my colleagues here and would like to make the following request. Each year, Russian journalists receive ten Government prizes worth a million roubles each in the world of the printed media. Starting next year, we would like to reserve one such prize for foreign Russian-language publications writing about Russia from abroad.

Vladimir Putin: Excellent. This is a good idea. Let's go ahead with this. Our second issue deals with the digitization of Russian television. As you know, some countries have already completely switched over to digital television. We have been focusing on this issue as of late. How are preparations moving on this? The first digital TV package is ready. What can you say about its introduction and specific deadlines? How is the Ministry carrying out this task?

Igor Shchegolev: Under a presidential decree, the first digital TV package stipulates eight TV and three radio channels. In addition, the decree stipulates the relevant terms for making digital broadcasts. All TV audiences must receive such broadcasts free of charge. As a result, the relevant companies and organisations, due to make digital broadcasts, will have to assume specific commitments.

TV broadcasts are the most widely used model for mass communication in Russia. Most Russians receive TV broadcasts. There are plans to subsidise broadcasts in those populated localities that are considered unprofitable by major companies. Our plans are being financed accordingly.

We have agreed that other media, including satellite networks and cable TV networks, will also broadcast free of charge. I would like to say a few words about relations between broadcasters and cable TV network operators receiving and relaying TV signals. As this will be a social welfare provision, we are drafting legislative amendments that will regulate this issue. Legislative acts must stipulate such issues, so as to avoid any misunderstandings with tax agencies.

In terms of our practical work, we have submitted the relevant concept to the Government for consideration, without waiting for the approval of the federal targeted programme. The concept must be promptly examined this July. After that, we hope to approve the programme, which is nearing completion and is now being coordinated with the Ministry of Economic Development. We have started designing networks in those regions which will be the first to receive digital TV packages, without waiting for this. I am referring to remote regions, including Russia's Far East and border areas that receive the smallest number of TV channels.

At the same time, we are selecting frequencies for the second digital TV package. The programme under discussion is scheduled to be implemented by 2015. We expect that we will manage to deal with this task by 2015.

Vladimir Putin: What channels are included in the first package?

Igor Shchegolev: The package includes the TV channels Rossiya, Vesti-24, Kultura, Sport, a channel for children and teenagers, Channel One, NTV and Channel Five in St. Petersburg.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Shchegolev, your work must ensure a smooth transfer from analogue to digital broadcasting, so that this process will go unnoticed by consumers. All in all, this process should not be an onerous one.

Igor Shchegolev: This is our philosophy as well. We have agreed that analogue television channels will be preserved until 95% of any specific territory's population has received decoders and until stable broadcasts are ensured.