Following is an official statement by RIA Novosti issued on Thursday:
RIA Novosti, Russia"s leading multimedia news agency is neither a "sponsor" nor a "backer" of Russia Today, an English language satellite TV channel, contrary to recent claims in media reports.
The reports followed an ad campaign launched by Russia Today in the USA and Europe, like the one featuring superimposed images of U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and asking "Who poses the greater nuclear threat?" The campaign sparked a strong reaction from both the authorities and the media. The media embarked on speculations of who is behind the Russia Today campaign. Some of the media reports stated that RIA Novosti "sponsors" or "backs" Russia Today.
These reports wrongfully drew on the fact that RIA Novosti had participated in establishing Russia Today as an Autonomous Non-Profit Organization, which in fact provided for the channel"s complete legal, editorial and operational independence from RIA Novosti.