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Электронное приложение к журналу «Международная жизнь»
conclusion that freedom of the press practically does not exist because the press is financed with
specific objectives.
We mustn't forget that journalists are and will be under pressure - political, financial or legal. The
only weapon that remains available to journalists in fighting for the freedom of expression is to at-
tract public attention, more than that, global public attention. The state demonstrates its power
through public opinion. The public expects truth, objectivity and ethics, which are the main criteria
for either respect or contempt for journalism.
Alexander Bikantov, Deputy Director, Information and Press Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation: We have entered the age of information wars waged by individual countries
or groups of countries against each other. Today, the world is dominated by the Western, mainly
Anglo-Saxon, media that claim the monopoly on the truth.
Regrettably, in the last two years, after the reunification of Crimea with Russia, confrontation be-
tween our country and the West in the information sphere has become even more vehement. In
politics, economy and culture cooperation is still alive and contacts are developing despite the sanc-
tions and other restrictive measures. This cannot be said about information: the Western public
has been tuned up to a defamatory image of Russia.
Anti-Russian propaganda war is waged in all spheres. The rule that demands that information
should be based on specific facts is widely ignored.
Pyotr Fedorov, Director, Directorate of International Rela-
tions, All Russia State Television and Broadcasting Company
(VGTRK): For those who cannot read English there are
two aggregators of mass media publications (American
and European) on the Internet. It is enough to search
for inosmi or inopressa in any browser to get access to
Russian translations of articles irrespective of their crit-
icism of the Kremlin and Moscow or even derogatory
attitude to Putin. These sources are absolutely open; I
think that this openness is unrivalled anywhere in the world. Our citizens can obtain the fullest
possible picture of the world and of the journalist pallette.
Why have we done this? Because in the past we limited access to alternative information, while the
Voice of America and BBC were popular among our people. Today, I know nobody who seeks in-
formation from these sources.
I am responsible for the cooperation between the VGTRK and EuroNews where I worked for
eight years. At that time, I unsuccessfully tried to explain to them that they misinterpreted the events
and Russia's position on international issues. Today, I say to them in so many words that they have
invented virtual Russia, are waging a virtual war with it and score virtual victories. This has nothing
to do with us.