Putin urges nationwide media 'psychotherapy'

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) – Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the government should boost its presence on television and the internet “to instill people with confidence in the future," the government website said.

Speaking during a meeting with regional governors, Putin gave the example of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who regularly delivered radio speeches during the Great Depression. Putin said Roosevelt’s speeches were a form of "nationwide psychotherapy."

He also said there were “various methods of working with public organizations,” but Russian officials used them “ineffectively.”

“It’s necessary to step up these efforts,” Putin said.

Putin has faced increasing criticism over alleged vote fraud in favor of his United Russia party at the December 4 parliamentary polls.

State-run television, which rarely airs any criticism of the authorities, remains the main source of information for most Russians. Internet penetration in Russia stands at some 50 percent.