13:33, 22 August 2003

Chechen journalists are going to boycott their work

Editors of government media and employees of the Chechen Press Ministry are going to boycott their work. This is caused by the assumed dismissal of Chechen Press Minister Beslan Gantamirov.

It was reported by the editor-in-chief of the republican newspaper "Youth Generation" Ramzan Gutsiyev. "In this way we want to express solidarity with our leadership", said Gutsiyev.

Analysts believe Gantamirov's dismissal is connected with his refusal to support Kadirov at the future presidential election, as well as with his openly declared support of Husain Dzhabrailov, a presidential contender. "Gantamirov repeatedly announced that no paper which was under his control would publish agitation for Kadirov. It is impossible in modern Chechnya to make such statements and hold work status after it", says Satsita Isayeva, an editor of the independent newspaper "Voice of the Chechen Republic".

Author: Tamerlan Aliyev, expert of the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations

Source: Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (Moscow)