Moscow, 6 April 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Journalists at Russia's commercial television network NTV resumed normal broadcasting yesterday, although they say their protest at the station's takeover by a state-dominated firm will continue. The station -- Russia's only independent national TV station -- was taken over on 3 April by the gas giant Gazprom, which brought in its own management team.
Yesterday, the protesting journalists sat down with the network's new chairman, Alfred Kokh, in what was at times heated discussion. Management has rejected a three-month moratorium on management and editorial changes proposed by the journalists.
The protesters say the Kremlin has orchestrated the takeover to stifle its critical stance towards the government. Gazprom rejects the charge, saying the matter is solely a business matter and that it is trying to recoup bad debts.
Yesterday, the protesting journalists sat down with the network's new chairman, Alfred Kokh, in what was at times heated discussion. Management has rejected a three-month moratorium on management and editorial changes proposed by the journalists.
The protesters say the Kremlin has orchestrated the takeover to stifle its critical stance towards the government. Gazprom rejects the charge, saying the matter is solely a business matter and that it is trying to recoup bad debts.