Independent journalism is key to Russian democratic development, civil society – Putin

(Interfax – MOSCOW. April 18, 2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted the delegates of the 10th congress of the Russian Union of Journalists, the Kremlin press service said.

“Your forum is important both for journalists and public life in Russia as a whole because journalists have always been not just “chroniclers”, but immediate participants in key events of Russian history. They have been playing a large role in forming people’s opinions, values and their moral and political guidelines, as well as in determining the nationwide agenda,” Putin said in his message.

“A journalist’s honest word has huge strength,” the president said.

“And today when the number of media outlets is growing and new information technologies and new capabilities keep appearing, the media’s proactive and responsible position and genuinely independent and brave journalism are more relevant today than ever. They are needed for Russia’s effective democratic development, the strengthening of its civil society and the search for solutions to the most important problems,” the president said.

“I would like to stress that I am not speaking only about objective and impartial coverage of events, but I am also speaking about the depth of their understanding, as well as the broadest awareness raising efforts and citizens’ consolidation in the fight against phenomena such as corruption, unfairness, bureaucratic arbitrariness, xenophobia and nationalism,” he said.