Searching answers to unasked questions
Nine journalists from Murmansk, Archangelsk, Severodvinsk and Komi Republic visited Hammerfest, Stavanger and Oslo for a study trip. The participant of the course Anna Chistjakova shares impressions and reflections.
«Journalism: power, mirror or servant?». There was at our faculty of journalism a textbook with such a name. Throughout 200 pages experts, theorists and experts argued about what journalistic work in modern Russia is. The answer to this question was searched also by us, participants of the course «Big Oil-2011», together with the Norwegian colleagues.
This seminar became an anniversary – the twentieth one for our "captain" Elnar Seljevold. Beautiful landscapes, sea platforms, presentations, cups of coffee, editions and offices, excursions and lectures, business and politicians – a kaleidoscope of knowledge, emotions and thoughts. After bringing them in ordered classifying everything it is possible to allocate some the basic themes which excite journalists no matter where they locate.
The Internet.
Today the global network is out of competition. All are on the Internet – from teenagers to pensioners. There are e-mail address on visit cards, companies keep Web-sites of their own, looking for a person one goes to Facebook, at the airport cafe ypu get wi-fi free. And this very text I write for the Barents Press Internet page. And what about newspapers? And the subscription? – these question occupy today minds of all editors.
Similarity: Newspapers in both Norway and Russia have today Internet versions. But everyone decide in his own way how to divide roles in the edition. Editors and journalists of regional newspapers, like "Finnmark Dagblad" for example combine roles: writing and editing both the Web-site and the newspaper. And at the same time they photograph, take video, impose. Media groups like NRK can afford a separate news Web-site with its own staff. The largest "Aftenposten" thinks of paid subscriptions to mailing news to the users of Apple.
Difference: In Russia we see the increasing of popularity of the so-called «informal Internet journalism». Moreand more often various blogs, "Live Journals", pages in social networks become a platform for discussion of the most actual problems.
Interaction with the power
It is one of the most important and discussed themes which always arises if more than two journalists get together.
Similarity: hmmm … probably actuality
Difference: Perhaps there is no journalist in Russia who hasn't facee such a phenomenon as "inquiry". It is an official paper which goes to the authorities or other establishments with the request to give information on an interesting issue. According to the legislation the answer should come not later than in 10 days from the moment of sending. Usually it comes in about 9 days. You at last receive the treasured paper where you fined quite unsatisfactory answers. Do you want details? Write another inquiry! Very few colleagues whom I know will decide to deal with Russian "inquiry".
I like very much the Norwegian public system to inquire officials after the information. It's open, simple, avalable. No formal replies would help.
Labour conditions
Edition office is a special place for a journalist: smell of coffee, the fresh release, monitor blinking and discussion of the latest news and something about "the deadline".
Similarity: Small newspapers – small offices, ilarger ones – the office is more spacious, absolutely large editions - a building.
Difference: In Norway editions there are no offices! (Even for the boss). Yes, there are places where it is possible to carry on negotiations, to drink coffee or simply to speak by phone, but there are no offices.
But still there's the quuestion: is journalism the fourth power, the second most ancient profession, the life mirror, the servant of the people (the power?)? Unfortunately we couldn't find any general answer to this question. As to me these are all labels, everyone decides for oneself whether to remain within the frameworks or to go out.
Anna Chistjakova, participant of the course
Pictures by the author
Translated by Tatiana Polkova
