Deputies of the Volyn Regional Council do not consider it expedient to remain co-founders of the newspaper "Dosvitnia Zoria," among whose founders is the regional state administration, – reported the own correspondent of the Western Information Corporation.
"Dosvitnia Zoria" compromised itself with one-sided coverage of events on the eve of and during the 2004 presidential elections. After the elections, the publication ceased publication and was revived already as "Volynska Hazeta."
The regional council had already considered the question of the expediency of being among the co-founders of the newspaper "Dosvitnia Zoria" for the second time. At the previous session, it was decided to discuss this issue in the relevant commission.
A significant portion of the deputies expressed concern that alongside the editorial staff, the founders of the newspaper are the RSA and the commercial structure "Femida-Inter," so the regional council would practically have no influence on the publication, which could turn into another "mouthpiece of the authorities."
The commission on issues of spirituality, education, culture, religion, media, and relations with public organizations and political parties of the regional council recommended that the session refrain from co-founding "Volynska Hazeta," and build relations with the editorial office on the basis of a corresponding agreement within the framework of current legislation.
The commission's decision was supported by 39 deputies. The alternative decision of the "Batkivshchyna" faction on the expediency of co-founding – 31 deputies.