Russia to auction radio, tele broadcasting in Crimea early 2015

MOSCOW, Nov 12 (PRIME) -- Russia will hold auctions for radio and television broadcasting in Crimea in January–March 2015, Alexander Zharov, director of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media, told reporters Wednesday.

“We are discussing these issues with federal and Crimean broadcasting companies,” Zharov said.

He said separately that about 30% of mass media working in Crimea had been already registered at the communications service.

“Out of 3,000 mass media really working in Crimea, about 250–300 are registered,” Zharov said.

In November, the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament, approved in the first of three required readings a bill on the registration of mass media in Crimea, which became part of the country in March.

The bill allows mass media to work in Crimea until April 1, 2015, under Ukrainian registration and will be exempt from duties.

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