Russia: Home of good news television

MOSCOW – Russian prosecutors will aggressively monitor how media outlets report on the ongoing financial crisis, authorities said Wednesday.

The Prosecutor General's office ordered news organizations to be responsible when reporting on financial institutions and not to spread panic, saying inspections may be carried out. No further details were given.

Reports on the Russian stock market plummet or the decline of the ruble have been all but absent on state-run television. Most TV stations are run by the government or private companies loyal to the Kremlin.