BBC's FM Broadcasts in Russia Are Removed by Distributor

BBC'S FM BROADCASTS IN RUSSIA ARE REMOVED BY DISTRIBUTOR
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
The British Broadcasting Corp. says its Russian-language FM broadcasts have been taken off the air by its Moscow distributor, which says its programs are "foreign propaganda." The decision by Bolshoye Radio, and similar moves by two other radio stations in the past year, leaves the BBC's Russian-language services available only on medium- and shortwave broadcasts, the BBC says. Bolshoye Radio's parent, financial group Finam, said the station's license didn't allow it to retransmit BBC's programs, and the station will instead focus on originally produced material. Critics say President Vladimir Putin's government has stifled media freedoms and quashed political opposition as the country heads into a parliamentary election in December and presidential elections in March.
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