From Reader to International Journalist in a Single Leap

The reader of today is virtually buried by the avalanche of information from Russian and foreign paper and digital providers, social media and blogs, which confounds laymen who are at a loss as they are not sure of how to discern trustworthy sources from seemingly fuzzy outlets. We met with Dmitry Gornostayev, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Russia Today News Agency, to seek his advice for RIAC readers and young international journalists.

The reader of today is virtually buried by the avalanche of information from Russian and foreign paper and digital providers, social media and blogs, which confounds laymen who are at a loss as they are not sure of how to discern trustworthy sources from seemingly fuzzy outlets. We met with Dmitry Gornostayev, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Russia Today News Agency, to seek his advice for RIAC readers and young international journalists.

How would you define the key problems facing young international journalists?

First comes poor knowledge of the basics, which is a real problem for young journalists in foreign affairs. Most of the candidates we tape during their selection interview have no idea about the fundamentals of their future subject, for example they lack elementary knowledge about the structure of the Russian parliament or current international conflicts other than Ukraine. I believe the issue is one of general education.

Second, many are lazy and often shirk the effort needed to gain the experience needed for professional journalism and quality writing. Many expect huge salaries immediately after getting a job and dream of trips abroad and fame. Fortunately – rather than unfortunately – journalism means a day-to-day grind of hard work and you can only succeed if your talent rests on solid foundations of this hard work, day in, day out. But many simply cannot understand this.

Fortunately, there are many who do understand and keep working to become the best in the trade. These youngsters grow into remarkable journalists, reporters, interviewers and newsmen.

RIAC / Anna Amelina
Winners of the 2014 Young Foreign Affairs
Journalist Awards

You may have vast professional experience. What kind of hurdles do you face each day? And what kind of challenges do you value most?

What kind of challenges? Unexpected major events that leave everyone unprepared – these are both a hurdle and a challenge, and they really help shape a journalist. These situations are complicated and require absolute focus and prompt reactions from the journalists. Regrettably, these are usually tragic events, i.e. wars, terrorist attacks, and disasters. Each media outlet needs to react fast and accurately, every minute and sometimes every second really does count. Your agency has to get everything in place almost instantly so it can provide its subscribers and readers with a fuller picture faster and better than its rivals. This is exactly where one’s professionalism comes into play.

Similar situations can arise during planned events that have unpredictable outcomes, such as the February 12 Minsk talks on Ukraine. This is also a testing ground for individual journalists, as well as for newspapers, TV channels and news agencies.

Could you offer some kind of advice to news readers?

Stick to the facts, be choosy about sources and rely on reliable information when making conclusions. One must know that any individual who comes to the fore at times like this, making loud statements has a name and a position. Any source may be used for reference only after it has been thoroughly checked. If you doubt some piece of news, check with another source.

Of late, there have been quite a few conflicts that have driven many interested parties to spread disinformation that flies through news agencies, first getting to subscribers and then to the general public, which takes it at face value. No respectable media outlet would use even the slightest distortion.

Unfortunately, wishful thinking does happen, and that is something one should also resist. Hence, make sure you know who, what and when said it, as that is something every respectable source must indicate.

Interviewer: Maria Gurova, RIAC Web Content Editor