The Press Institute is worth a mass

Last fall, the city arbitration court decided to evict the Institute of Regional Press from the room it occupied in the House of Journalists. The IRP appealed this decision to the 13th Arbitration Court of Appeal. Despite the fact that this complaint continues to be heard, last Thursday the press center left Domzhur, and since Friday it has been working at a new address.

The Institute of Regional Press is known for regularly organizing press conferences for organizations and individuals whom the St. Petersburg administration apparently considers persona non grata. It is with this activity that IRP director Anna Sharogradskaya associates the persecution launched against the institute.
“We are moving in order to organize more rhythmic work of the press center,” explained Anna Sharogradskaya. — In particular, in the new room we will be able to hold press conferences. It is obvious to us that after Interfax moved to Domzhur, priority conditions were created for this agency. We understand that regardless of the court's decision, the situation is unlikely to change. However, we are not changing our position regarding the premises in Domzhur, and, despite the move, we have plans for its further use, which we do not want to disclose yet.
From March 27, the IRP will operate at a new address: Ligovsky Ave., 73, Ligovka business center, office 314 (3rd floor).
Phone 572-45-10, fax 764-01-14, mobile 984-92-34.

Andrzej BELOWRANIN

Direct speech
Daniil KOTSYUBINSKY, journalist and public figure:
“I can express regret that the IRP is moving from a place familiar to many journalists, which allowed the institute to play an important role in covering news stories that were least comfortable for the current administration, both city and federal. I hope that in the new place the IRP will be able to show itself in its former capacity - and the new place will also become a cult place for the journalistic community.

Yuri VDOVIN, deputy chairman of the public human rights organization “Civil Control”:
— It’s a pity that the IRP moved from the building of the House of Journalists. A place of prayer, as they say! On the other hand, the IRP gains a certain amount of independence from arbitrariness, say, on the part of Andrei Konstantinov. I hope that journalists will get used to the new office on Ligovka and will go to IRP events that the servile Union of Journalists would not organize. After all, the institute organizes such presentations and press conferences that the official authorities do not really like, and, God willing, the previous style of the IRP will remain unchanged - at least some element of democracy that is still preserved in our society.

Andrey KONSTANTINOV, Chairman of the Union of Journalists of St. Petersburg:
— I can’t comment on anything, since I don’t follow the fate of the IRP; their latest collisions passed me by.