09. 12. 2013

PUTIN ABOLISHED THE RIA NOVOSTI AGENCY , ESTABLISHED RUSSIA TODAY

Russia, December 9, 2013 (UNS ) - Russian President Vladimir Putin by a decree abolished the state news agency RIA Novosti and formed a new one ''Russia Today'', which takes over all assets in Russia and abroad.

The main task of the new agency will be to ''report on the state policy of the Russian Federation abroad and on life in Russia'', according to the Kremlin website.

The same decree the new International Information Agency ''Russia Today'' incorporates  the state-owned  radio station "The Voice of Russia'', the newspaper editorial office "Rosijskaja gazeta'' is reorganized  and  merged with magazine "Rodina''.

Director General shall, by decree, be appointed and dismissed by the President of the Russian Federation .

Putin named for the first director general of the new agency ''Russia Today '' by special decree one Dmitry Kisjelov, journalist and presenter news program ''Weekly News'' on state television ''Rossia".

Kisjelov was known the 90s as a liberal independent journalist until he started to work on state TV.

Independent , private media criticize him for openly supporting the ruling party ''United Russia '' and President Vladimir Putin in his shows.

The new agency ''Russia Today'' will be located in the same premises as the RIA Novosti, a deadline for the full liquidation of the agency is three months, according to a decree of the Russian president.