Moscow, January 16, 2004. - On January 14, the State Duma of the Russian Federation drew results of a creativity contest held among parliamentary journalists from the Russian mass media. Awards were given in nine categories. Two journalists from RBC (RTS, MICEX:RBCI) were named among the awardees.

RBC special correspondent Olga Bondareva received an award in the category "Information Agencies," and Irina Melnikova, a correspondent from RBC business television, was granted an award in the category "Television Stations". The awards were presented by State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov.

The contest, which is aimed to determine the best parliamentary journalist, was established by Russian lawmakers in 2003. According to its founders, the main function of this event is to improve the coverage of State Duma's activities by the mass media.

"Our correspondents promptly report on the most pressing issues of today. And I am extremely proud that their professionalism and day-to-day activities have been recognized as very important for Russian society," RBC General Director Yury Rovensky said.

Investor contact: Natalia Makeeva
Tel: +7 (095) 363-1111 (ext. 1369), e-mail: ir@rbc.ru, Web: www.rbcinfosystems.com.