The Federal Law is aimed at modernising the Russian Law On Mass Media.
The law takes into account the organisational, technical, and economic changes that have occurred in the last decade in electronic media production and dissemination as well as the prospects for TV and radio broadcasting market development associated with the transition to digital broadcasting.
The law improves existing TV and radio broadcast licensing mechanisms.
It levels the legal status of foreign and domestic television and radio stations: foreign television and radio stations must be registered as mass media.
To ensure access for individuals, organisations, state authorities and local authorities to current information on registered mass media and individuals working in the media sector, the law contemplates the creation of a state mass media information system.
The law introduces the concept of Network Publication for information and telecommunications websites registered as mass media. It also introduces the principle of voluntary registration for media websites. In addition, the definition of mass media has been modified to include such websites.
The Federal Law specifies the main provisions on broadcasting national public TV and radio channels that are mandatory.