Young Journalists School opened at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The first session of the Young Journalists School was held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 1 March, International Children’s Television and Radio Day. More than 100 participants aged 12 to 17, selected following a remote stage and subsequent in-person interviews with the writing of a competitive essay, will complete the training programme. An intensive period of work lies ahead, from theory and ethics to the creation of their own media projects.

The application campaign for the Young Journalists School lasted one and a half months. In total, more than 1,000 people registered. To take part in the selection process, applicants were required to complete a creative assignment: write an essay on one of the proposed topics, record a video presentation and publish it on the social network VKontakte.

"Welcome to the Young Journalists School of the National Centre RUSSIA, which we are implementing jointly with the Movement of the First. You are pioneers — our first intake — and it was not an easy one. Initially, we had a quota of 50 people. But after reviewing your work, we increased the quota to more than double that number. More than 1,000 applications were submitted, and the competition exceeded 15 people per place — this is the level of the country’s leading universities. The Young Journalists School is your first major step. I wish you bright discoveries, interesting news stories, new acquaintances and achievements you will be proud of," said Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.

The Young Journalists School is an original project of the National Centre RUSSIA. Participants will complete an intensive programme consisting of five modules. During their studies, they will undertake an advanced Russian language course, study the fundamentals of journalism and media literacy, and become familiar with the principles of professional ethics. They will develop analytical thinking skills and learn to create multimedia content. The project’s co-organiser is the Russian public-and-state movement of children and youth Movement of the First.

"The young people who have become the first participants in the project are undoubtedly talented and determined. They already possess clear values and strong potential. We hope that, under the guidance of experienced mentors at the School, they will be able to realise their ideas and developments in creative work and achieve success. I would like to thank the National Centre RUSSIA for this initiative, to which we could not fail to respond, as we consider it extremely important to support young people who wish to find themselves in the media industry. May their path be engaging, productive and full of discoveries. We will be delighted to see each of you on the air of federal radio stations and television channels," noted Head of the Media Communications Department of the Movement of the First Yelena Kunina.

During their studies, the young journalists will attend classes at the National Centre RUSSIA, have the opportunity to contribute to coverage of the Centre’s events, meet representatives of leading media holdings and editorial teams, and develop their own media projects under the guidance of mentors.

"Our profession is not an easy one; many call it a way of life. You have already passed the first stage — the selection process — but the most important thing lies ahead: continuous learning, because without it journalism is extremely difficult. Start with small projects: your first story can be written or filmed about people close to you, your street or your city — about what you know well. Do not try to embrace the immeasurable; enter the profession gradually, step by step. And do not be afraid of mistakes — it is impossible to move forward without them. Believe in yourselves, and everything will work out. Forward, into the profession of journalism!" said Secretary of the Union of Journalists Ashot Djazoyan.

The first session, titled "Introduction to the Profession: The Mission of a Journalist, Ethics and Working with Meaning. The Media Landscape Today", was delivered to the young journalists by television and radio presenter and Head of the Directorate of Analytical Radio Programmes at the Zvezda media holding Anna Shafran. She shared her experience and explained the essence of the key aspects of journalistic work, from understanding one’s mission to the nuances of working with information in today’s media environment.

"I wish you today, and on all the days you will be studying at the Young Journalists School, to grasp the principles and experience that our colleagues will share with you. By absorbing and internalising this knowledge, you will be able to create your own unique trajectory, line and overarching story through which you will work with the word and with creation — without which there is no life and, perhaps, nothing meaningful to do on this earth. Having passed this extensive and challenging selection, you are already chosen by the Russian state and potentially destined to become those whose hands will shape our common future. I wish you great success and inspiration in this endeavour, and may everything work out for you," Anna Shafran wished.

The training programme will continue until 30 June. Upon completion, participants will undergo final assessment, after which graduates will receive a certificate of completion, their first portfolio of publications and recommendations for admission to specialised universities. Participants may also have the opportunity to undertake internships, including at the Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Programme partners are the ANO "Dialogue" and the New Media Workshop. The project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The strategic partner is the Russian Children and Youth Centre.