More than 120 young correspondents gather at the All-Russian Media Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The final day of the All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR was held on 4 April at the National Centre RUSSIA. The forum brought together more than 120 YUNARMIYA members involved in media from 30 regions of the country. The main focus of the forum was preparing young correspondents to cover events marking the tenth anniversary of the YUNARMIYA at both regional and federal levels.

A meeting was held at the "Space of Opportunities" at the National Centre RUSSIA with the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and official spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. The young correspondents learned how to counter disinformation and had the opportunity to ask their questions.

"You, young correspondents, often have a significant advantage over us — diplomats in particular — when we find ourselves on the same online platforms. Why? Because you often know more about technology. This environment is more familiar to you, you operate in it faster, and your mindset allows you to respond more quickly to many things online. The most important thing is to preserve what the older generation has when working with information: verification and responsibility. This is extremely important," noted Maria Zakharova.

Young correspondents from the Perm Territory asked about political pranksters and the official position of the Russian Foreign Ministry on them.

"The level of falsehood and hypocrisy, which has become almost the norm for a number of countries and their regimes, has made this genre practically necessary, as it has become a response to their endless stream of fakes. This genre emerged because public figures, when giving interviews, would call for peace and insist on negotiations, yet in conversations like these — believing they were off air — they would express completely opposite views," she said.

The young correspondents also met with Hero of Russia and Chief of the General Staff of the YUNARMIYA, Vladislav Golovin, and attended lectures and masterclasses led by leading media experts.

"This year, the All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR once again brought together the most creative and curious YUNARMIYA members who strive to tell the story of the movement, its events and initiatives, and who aim to pursue careers in journalism in the future. YUNARMIYA members from 30 regions of the country have gathered here, which is especially significant in the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia. I am confident that the participants have made new friends, and that the knowledge they have gained will provide a strong foundation for their further development in the media sphere," emphasised Hero of Russia and Chief of the General Staff of the YUNARMIYA Vladislav Golovin.

As part of the All-Russian Media Forum, the participants also met with Zvezda TV presenter Irina Losik and blogger with a million-strong following and creative producer of the radio station Yug Molodoy (Young South), Nikolai Krupatin. Together, they discussed the influence of creative work on audience perception. The participants also visited the "Geography Lessons" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA, where they demonstrated practical skills and filmed video content.

The All-Russian Media Forum YUNKOR was held in Moscow from 2 to 4 April. It is held annually and gives participants the opportunity to exchange experience with young correspondents from other regions, improve their media literacy, create socially significant media content and become communication leaders.

Currently, more than 6,000 young correspondents across the country cover key patriotic events, report on historical milestones, produce videos in support of participants in the special military operation, and work to counter misinformation.