By
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - CNN founder Ted Turner is in talks to acquire a stake in NTV, a private Russian television network owned by embattled media baron Vladimir Gusinsky, who is under house arrest in Spain.
Turner spokeswoman Maura Donlon yesterday confirmed Russian reports that the talks were proceeding, but she said "it is a personal initiative and not connected with AOL or Time Warner."
Turner is a vice chairman of Time Warner Inc., the media conglomerate being acquired by the online giant America Online Inc. In recent years, however, Turner has been spending more time on philanthropic efforts and private investments, including his large ranch holdings.
"Mr. Turner has always had a keen interest in Russia, dating back to the first Goodwill games in 1986. However, it is not our practice to comment on Mr. Turner's personal investments," said Donlon, a spokeswoman for Turner Enterprises, Turner's private company.
NTV is the only one of Russia's three main networks that is not state-controlled, and its reporting on the Chechnya war and other issues has often angered Russian authorities. NTV is the flagship station of Gusinsky's Media-Most company.
Gusinsky was arrested in Spain in December under a Moscow-issued warrant charging him with financial crimes, and Spanish authorities are considering whether to extradite him.
Russian investigators raided the Moscow offices of Media-Most yesterday for the third time.
Media-Most insists the case is politically motivated and shows that President Vladimir Putin intends to muzzle independent news media. The Kremlin denies those accusations.
Donlon would not disclose any details, but other reports have placed the size of the stake under discussion at about 25 percent.
