For the first time, Dmitry Medvedev publicly mentioned the need to create a television channel with the name "Public Television" in the summer of 2011. In winter, he addressed this topic in a message from the president to the Federal Assembly, and on December 28 ordered the head of the administration and the prime minister to present options for implementing the idea. Today, the creation of Public Television is in full swing - the necessary laws have already been adopted and governing bodies have been appointed.
The official position of the first person in Public Television is called "Director General of the autonomous non-profit organization Public Television of Russia". The functions of the chief editor are also assigned to him. The president of the country should appoint the head of the new channel by his decree - such a norm is included in the law, which was approved by the Federation Council of Russia in the second half of July 2012. However, the president should not choose this person at his discretion, but from the list that the Public Chamber represents, created in 2005 for better interaction between public associations and authorities. The Public Chamber compiled a list of 75 candidates for this position and reduced it to 25 persons by secret rating vote. The list was handed over to the President of Russia, who in July 18 appointed Anatoly Lysenko, Director General of Public Television of Russia, by his decree. All other candidates from the “list of 25” became members of the governing body of the new channel - its council.
Anatoly Lysenko is the president of the International Academy of Television and Radio, as well as a professor at the Higher School of Economics. He is 75 years old, in Soviet times, Anatoly Grigoryevich worked for more than 20 years in the youth editorial office of the Central Television, including the head of the Vzglyad program and the deputy chief editor. From 1990 to 1996 he was the head of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, and then served as chairman of the media committee in the Moscow Government. Lysenko was awarded three orders, became the winner of the State Prize and has the title of Honored Artist.
The television channel led by Anatoly Lysenko is due to begin broadcasting on January 1, 2013. August was set aside for team formation, and pilot programs are planned for the fall. A distinctive feature of Public Television should be the absence of advertising and independence from any state or political bodies. Although in the initial period of his work, state funding of the new television channel is planned.
