In 1954 Maslennikov completed his education in the department of journalism of the Leningrad University and worked as an editor, script writer, and cameraman on Leningrad television.
The meeting was covered on Leningrad television and has filled the front pages of the city's newspapers.
Since it was first broadcast 20 months ago, "600 Seconds" has become the most popular program on Leningrad television.
Earlier coverage of the rally, broadcast to Lithuania by way of Leningrad television, had been disrupted by officials in Vilnius.
Leningrad television said he died in a car accident.
Some nights, Leningrad television, long the most daring broadcast outlet in the Russian republic, seems to have become a vanity station for the new City Council.
Their signs repeated Mr. Ivanov's allegation on Leningrad television that Mr. Gorbachev is to blame for a cover-up.
An extensive report shown on Leningrad television tonight showed the crowd chanting: "Down with Gidaspov!
He started his work for the Leningrad television in 1985 and had been an editor-in-chief in Leningrad (and later Saint-Petersburg) television for 10 years.
In 1989, Mr. Stepashin called on viewers of Leningrad television not to take part in pro-democracy rallies.