28 Apr 2015 16:34

Independent media must be included in state support system - Putin

ST. PETERSBURG. April 28 (Interfax) - The state support system should extend to independent media, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

"From formal positions, the state pays its structures. But the public in general is certainly keen on developing the independent segment of mass media. That is why, of course, we need to work out a support system that extends to everyone," he told a media forum.

One of the attendees said that independent media have to weather the crisis on their own, without state subsidies.

"As a mere formality, everything seems alright, but in principle it's a mockery," Putin replied.