Local television no longer broadcasts programs in Kabardian and Balkarian languages

A press conference was held at the Center for the Protection of Human Rights on March 11. It focused on the situation that has arisen at the republican Kabalkteleradio company, which has broadcasted no programs in the Kabardian and Balkarian languages since January.

"The Kabardian and Balkarian languages are official. But this is a formality. The sphere where they are used is limited to one theatre, one newspaper, and one literary magazine in fact. The cessation of broadcasting in the native languages will inflict irreparable damage on the languages, depriving them of the sphere of application which is the most popular and effective for their development," said the Center's chairman, Valery Khatazhukov, who arranged the press conference.

The closure of programs in the national languages is caused by the fact that VGTRK (All-Russian National TV and Radio Company), an organization department of which Kabalkteleradio is, has reduced financing of the latter. The number of broadcasted programs has been reduced as a result.

"Other North Caucasian republics also faced such a situation. But authorities there took measures in order not to deprive the people of their national television. For instance, the financing in North Osetia was filled up from the local budget immediately. Either our authorities are unable to function or they are indifferent to the interests of the people," said Mr Khatazhukov. The closure of programs in the local languages is a violation of the Russian Constitution, which secures the citizens' right to receive information in a native language, he added.