RT special correspondent Konstantin Pridybaylo shares professional insights with young journalists at the National Centre RUSSIA

A master meeting with RT special correspondent Konstantin Pridybaylo was held at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the Young Journalists School project. He shared his professional experience with aspiring journalists and revealed key aspects of the craft.

"Journalism is not only about polished stand-ups on camera or social events. It also involves constant lack of sleep, business trips, time zone differences, and many other challenges. It means tight deadlines for submitting material — whether for print media, radio or television news. It involves hundreds of phone calls to people who may not want to speak with you, and attempts to find exclusive stories. And, of course, it is a constant search for truth where it is being concealed. A journalist must be prepared for all of this," said Konstantin Pridybaylo.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The expert paid particular attention to working in challenging conditions, explaining how journalists manage to defend Russia’s interests in the media space, cover protests and gatherings, and report on the special military operation. He also spoke about his professional path — starting at Radio Minsk, then working at Komsomolskaya Pravda and the Belarus 1 TV channel, before joining RT. The speaker compared the specifics of working in radio and television, explained the role of a special correspondent and the formats of work available to them, and reflected on what matters more: formal journalism education or practical experience gained over time.

At the end of the meeting, Konstantin Pridybaylo shared several personal principles for life and professional activity that may be particularly useful for aspiring journalists.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Do not waste a single minute. Everything you do now will be useful in the future, and everything you do not do may be something you lack later. Read extensively — words are your only tool, and broad reading and observation are your foundation. Study subjects beyond journalism: become an expert in something else to better understand how the world works. Step away from social media, because the best stories are told by people in person. Be prepared to face criticism. And, of course, protect your reputation: your name in journalism is your only capital," he advised.

During the meeting, young journalists asked Konstantin Pridybaylo a number of questions. They were interested in why he chose the role of special correspondent over a stable top management position. They also asked how to overcome initial scepticism from interviewees, how to communicate the specifics of their culture to Western colleagues, and how to help them better understand the "Russian soul".

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The discussion also covered the specifics of radio work: participants of the master meeting learned how to maintain audience attention using only the voice, without visual contact. They also explored the role of psychological education in journalism, and discussed whether it is possible to predict in advance which stories will gain traction and which will go unnoticed, and whether it is acceptable to deliberately amplify public interest around certain topics. Alongside practical advice, participants received strong inspiration for their future professional development.

The multi-format project Young Journalists School is designed to help teenagers acquire relevant professional skills and competencies; and to develop a talent pool of future media professionals. It is implemented by the National Centre RUSSIA in partnership with the Movement of the First, with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.