President-elect support free speech in cyberspace
- Authorities should take a measured approach to policing the Internet, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday, speaking at the opening of the 12th annual Russian Internet Forum. Again Medvedev pleases the liberal democratic movement in Russia.
During the last few years prosecutors have closed down several regional Internet sites critical of the authorities, saying they did not have the proper registration.
Fair position
Medvedev said “the answer to this question is fairly simple: Laws must be respected everywhere. … At the same time, the state should take a calm, fair position” toward Internet users.
Democratic path
Last week, Medvedev said in an interview with Financial Times: - I am a supporter of the values of democracy in the form that humanity has developed them over the last centuries. He added that - Russia is a European country and Russia is absolutely capable of developing together with other states that have chosen this democratic path of development.
Knowledge-based economy
As first deputy prime minister, Medvedev promoted Internet use as part of a program to develop a knowledge-based economy and reduce Russia’s dependence on oil and gas exports.
Russia has 40 million Internet users out of a population of 142 million.
