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Putin grilled over press freedom A meeting of more than 1,000 newspaper executives and editors from around the world has opened in Moscow with harsh criticism of Russia's media freedom. President Vladimir Putin, who was at the opening of the World Association of Newspapers Congress, was urged to do more to develop a free press. In reply, Mr Putin insisted that the Russian state was not increasing its control over the media. The opening was also marked by an anti-Putin protest by two youngsters. Barrage of questions The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Moscow says things did not start well for Russia's president. He was two hours late and the 1,700 editors and media figures from 100 countries were kept waiting. When he finally arrived, Mr Putin gave no apology and no explanation. Mr Putin then had some uncomfortable moments as the association's president, Gavin O'Reilly, raised what he said were deeply held concerns about press freedom in Russia. "Your country and your administration have been severely criticised internationally for an alleged unwillingness to forego control and influence over the media," Mr O'Reilly said. He asked why the Russian state was accused of creating an atmosphere of self-censorship and fear in the press, why the government and industrial groups linked to it had been taking control of the media, especially TV channels and why local media were coming under similar control. 'Guarantor of democracy' "There is still very widespread scepticism, both inside and outside your country, about whether there exists any real willingness to see the media become a financially strong, influential and independent participant in Russian society today," Mr O'Reilly said. He concluded by appealing personally to Russia's president to "take vital new measures... to help your great country develop the strong independent press that it merits". As Mr Putin moved to the lectern to make his speech two protesters, members of the National Bolshevik Party, leapt from their seats, brandishing a flag bearing a hammer and sickle and shouting "No to censorship" and "Russia without Putin." They were quickly removed and Mr Putin's speech went ahead as planned. Mr Putin sidestepped most of the issues, saying that the proportion of state ownership in the media was decreasing and that a free press was a key guarantor of Russia's democracy. "Without a free press, the great transformations of the 1990s would have been simply impossible, and today I would like once again to underline the not only special but irreplaceable role of the written word in the making of the new Russia," Mr Putin said. ---------------------------------------------------
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