In explanation of his utterances on the low level of music critics, Sokolov, who earlier headed the Moscow Conservatory, said that he meant the irresponsibility of people writing "any-old-how about things of great subtlety".
"Later I understood that I was not quite objective about music critics because journalists in other spheres are not much better", Sokolov said.
It is not a rash "literacy drive", but long-term initiatives that are needed here, he stressed.
"It is a matter of high-school education", the minister believes.
In his opinion, radio and television journalism is now better off as regards technical specialists, rather than journalists.
"It is a matter of a quiet discussion", Alexander Sokolov said.
