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<p>A law banning commercial advertising on paid cable and satellite television channels
in Russia will come into force on 1 January 2015. Commentators have suggested that
this law will make it difficult for independent television station, Dozhd, to survive.
Increasing pressure on independent journalists and news outlets in Russia, including
Dozhd, is of great concern. We regularly make our concerns clear in bilateral interactions
at all levels. Most recently, I raised concerns about restrictions on the freedom
of expression in Russia with the Russian Ambassador on 25 November. In October, the
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member
for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) also raised concerns about this issue with the Russian
Ambassador, highlighting the negative impact of restrictive legislation on the freedom
of the media.</p>
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