Media experts - on the role of the media in society

The 8th International Conference "Russia and Europe: Actual Problems of Modern International Journalism" was held at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Rome. Svetlana Gubina, graduate student of Belgorod State University, became its participant (master's program in mass media and intercultural communication, under the supervision of Doctor of Philology, professor, head of the journalism department Andrei Polonsky).

The conference was organized by the International Life magazine, published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and its editor-in-chief Armen Oganesyan, as well as the Federal Press and Mass Communications Agency. The conference was attended by Russian and European media experts, representatives of international public organizations, diplomatic agencies and institutions: the head of the press service of the Russkiy Mir Foundation Maria Mokhovikova, the editor-in-chief of the journal International Relations Chavdar Minchev (Bulgaria); Srja Trifkovich, historian, writer, columnist for Chronicles magazine, and many others.

Conference participants were welcomed by the Russian ambassador to the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino Sergey Razov. The head of the Russian diplomatic mission read out an appeal from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“In the era of the rapid development of information and communication technologies, the media have a special role in reducing confrontation in world affairs, maintaining trust between nations, and preventing ethnic and religious divisions. The key to success is the willingness of journalists to work professionally, including observing impartiality and respecting an alternative point of view,” the Minister emphasized.

Presentations were made at the plenary session by the head of the press center, deputy director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Bikantov, chief specialist of the external communications service of Russia Today TV channel Anna Belikova, and the head of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Rome Dariya Pushkova. She drew attention to the fact that in the era of post-truth, the main task often becomes not the presentation of true facts and verified information, but the promotion of the politically necessary thesis.

A graduate student of Belgorod State University presented a report entitled “The role of the media in the intercultural dialogue of twin cities: the experience of the Belgorod Region mass media”, focusing on the tools for solving the problems of international journalism that the regions have, unlike federal institutions, - this is twinning, diplomacy, as well as regional media. The report aroused keen interest of researchers and professionals.