Globalization and Independence of journalism

Unforgettable and amazing, the second day of the International Journalism Festival was remarkable with its prominent events and participation of Peter Horrocks, BBC global news director, famous Russian journalist Oleg Kashin and Charlie Beckett, Polis director.

“To be for the World, but also from the World” this is the main aim of the BBC Global News service. Being able to provide news for the entire World, BBC became the media giant, which is set as example all over the world. Nowadays, BBC delivers news to the World in 27 different languages. In the time when Journalism throughout the World becomes less global the BBC is trying be more global.

The situation with independent press and free speech was discussed during the next event devoted to “Blood, sweat and news, independent journalism in Russia”. The guest of the panel of discussion, famous analytical Russian journalist Oleg Kashin, who was attacked and bitten severely because of his journalism activity, drew the situation of current media in Russia. The borders of independent press in Russia significantly narrowed from 2003.A vivid elucidation of political issues, corruption and crime which occurred there became untouchable topics for journalists. Government trapped free speech in country. He said “After the death of Anna Politkovskaya journalists stopped to cover topics concern Chechen problems. The death of Pavel Chlebnikov brought to the death of investigative journalism in Russia. It is obvious that if after severe attack and threat to his life he stops to cover vulnerable topics it will bring about to the death of analytical journalism in Russia. Therefore, he began to write harder and send a challenge to other journalists to follow him.

Each event of the festival has its specific and irreplaceable features which indeed play crucial role and highly valuable for journalism practice.

Alisa Balakishiyeva