Д.Медведев.Форум европейских,азиатских медиа.09.12.09.Part 4

Speech and Responses to Questions at Forum of European and Asian Media.Part 4
December 9, 2009
Moscow

Выступление на Форуме европейских и азиатских медиа.
9 декабря 2009 года
Москва, Московский международный Дом музыки

VALERY NIYAZMATOV: I am the editor-in-chief of the Russian-language newspaper Novy Vek [New Age] in Uzbekistan.

In recent years, the topic of free speech has appeared, on and off, as a hot, debated topic in the media. Sometimes, the idea is framed as a kind of permissiveness, including demands to allow using obscenities. I would like to know your opinion on the freedom of speech in Russia or, to be exact, in the Russian media.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: First of all, I hope that freedom of speech is alive and well in Uzbekistan. If you are asking me this question, I assume that you are not worried about this issue as it applies in Uzbekistan. As for freedom of speech in our nation, let me respond to you in the same manner: it is alive and well in our country too, as demonstrated by our conversation today, as well as the opportunity to use a variety of means to deliver information to the public.

I have commented on this topic many times during general discussions and during my conversations with the media, and I have always recalled what my partners from the United States said to me during a visit to Washington: Everything is going badly in your country; your television, your radio, and your newspapers arent what they used to be. So I asked them, Okay, but have you read or watched any of them? No, they said, we did not read any of them, but we are making these judgements based on what we read in our press. After that, we would get into a discussion of what the media should be publishing in general. And this is a very complex theoretical topic: what are the boundaries of what is possible, and what should be permitted? What are the taboos or things that should not be happening in a civilised society, based on how we see our society? This will always be a delicate issue.

You mentioned obscenities. Like you, I feel that, overall, obscenities should not be used in the media. However, Im not sure that everyone present would agree with us. They will say that obscenities are a part of our culture, something we use occasionally and quietly. This is one example of an issue where the reaches of freedom of speech will always be debated.

In my view, freedom assumes responsibility and competence. I recently spoke about this and will repeat it again before this distinguished audience: a journalists key responsibility is to speak the truth; the way that you do this is your business and your choice.

MALKHAZ GULASHVILI: Mr President, along with the Public Chamber of Russia, we have created a commission to resolve problems related to settling the crisis following the events in August 2008. We put forward a question last year, and I would like to ask you this question today: in your view, what is preventing the resumption of direct flights between Moscow and Tbilisi and opening the Lars customs checkpoint to Georgia as well as Armenia? This is my first question.

Second, when do you think Georgian goods can be returned to the Russian market and what can we do to encourage this?

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Please, ask a third question. I rarely get the chance to answer questions from the Georgian media.

MALKHAZ GULASHVILI: Finally, how can we simplify the visa formalities between our nations? After all, we do not represent authorities or opposition we represent the public, and we feel that lifting restrictions would do more good rather than have a negative impact. Thank you, Mr President.

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