Open letter from the General Director of JSC "AVVA RUS", to the chief editor of the Kirov newspaper "Reporter"

Dear Editor-in-Chief of the Kirov newspaper "Reporter"!

First of all, for better mutual understanding, I would like to explain what I mean by the word "journalism".

Journalism is the actualization of the worldview of social groups through the selection of facts, assessments, and comments that are topical and significant at a given time. Journalism is also understood as the collection and analysis of information about events, topics, and trends in modern life, and the dissemination of this information in various genres and forms to a mass audience.

Thus, journalism participates in shaping public opinion and influences mass consciousness. At the same time, it is very important to note that journalism must operate with facts—precisely facts, not fabrications or someone's conjectures. The genre itself, of course, allows for the use of analytical reviews and opinion pieces, but there must be a mandatory reference to the source. Journalism is very important for our society. Journalists identify acute problems and draw attention to them. Sometimes publications serve as the basis for inspections of legal violations.

I should note that I am in no way advocating for censorship. The right to freedom of speech and the conduct of journalistic activities must be respected. However, with such freedom, there must also be protection for the other party—the subject or object about which the journalist is writing. But most importantly, how the journalist writes.

In Russian legislation, such protection is implemented through the journalist's obligation to verify and confirm published data. If the data is unreliable, the publication should not be accusatory and peremptory.

Editors and journalists often chase "sensationalism." A recent example: the Governor of the Kirov Region gathered editors of local newspapers to discuss pressing issues. During the conversation, he mentioned that journalists write about "sensational" topics. For instance, the same Navalny never leaves the pages of newspapers—"let him go," he said. He told journalists to "let him go."

And then, as if breaking free from chains, almost all Kirov newspapers ran with the headline: "Vasiliev Suggests Releasing Navalny." A day later, apparently realizing the awkwardness of the situation, clarifications were published. They claimed the editors had misunderstood. Those publications were in Kirov newspapers yesterday, but today they have disappeared and been replaced with corrective articles. However, by then, the news had already been picked up by other outlets. Is this what journalists listen to and what they bring to the masses?

There is a perception that newspaper publications are needed to keep businesses or the subjects of articles "on their toes." For example, a publication about tax violations might make businessmen reconsider their use of gray schemes. A publication about industrial enterprises violating environmental laws might prompt entrepreneurs to invest in treatment facilities.

Perhaps this is a valid approach, but then the question arises: what does it mean to "keep on their toes"? The key here is not to overdo it.

For instance, we have all witnessed the frenzied persecution and accusations against Russia regarding the crash of Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777. No sooner had the plane crashed than accusatory publications emerged, unequivocally blaming Russia for the tragedy. As soon as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili began shelling Tskhinvali and Russian peacekeepers on August 7, 2008, the press published articles accusing Russia of aggression against Georgia.

If tomorrow one of the Kirov newspapers publishes an article claiming that the editor-in-chief of the Kirov newspaper "Reporter" is a member of the LGBT community and prioritizes publications from members of this community when placing information in their newspaper—i.e., giving priority based on sexual orientation—I ask myself: would such publications help the journalists of your newspaper and you stay "on your toes"?

Should Russia have gained additional "tonus" from the frenzied accusations regarding the Boeing, or from its actions to compel Georgia to peace?

No, and I am sure any reasonable person thinks the same. This is the main question I would like to ask you, the editor-in-chief of the Kirov newspaper "Reporter," although I am well aware that I will receive no answer. I have repeatedly attempted to discuss the "reliability" of your publications with you; however, even after agreeing on a time and place for a meeting, you did not show up...

Journalists undoubtedly have every right to raise any issue for discussion. However, if publications are accusatory, as in the case of the newspaper "Reporter," then reliable facts are necessary for accusations. If evidence is lacking, then Society has the right to defend itself—to defend its name, dignity, and business reputation.

Look at the feedback from residents published online in response to your articles (on www.newsler.ru). The goal of such publications was fully achieved by you. A negative opinion has formed about a company that has been operating in Kirov for over 20 years, the quality of the Company's products has been called into question, and calls for punishment—including physical violence—have been directed at employees (even on ethnic grounds).

(The comments preserve the original spelling and punctuation):

“Guest_Kirovchanin wrote 21.12.2015 - 20:15: Khokhlopiteki are making and poisoning Kirov residents with chemical weapons) the enterprise is a joint Swiss-Ukrainian one.”

“Guest_Avve Khuavve wrote 21.12.2015 - 20:49: We should fill a bathtub with such waste and take turns bathing the entire board of directors in it.”

“Guest_Patriot wrote 22.12.2015 - 08:54: Khokhols everywhere! This hotbed of Banderism needs to be thoroughly checked!!”

“Guest_For Ecology wrote 22.12.2015 - 10:37: As the skakuny say: 'String up the chief engineer!'”

“Guest_Food for Thought wrote 23.12.2015 - 08:18: Four members of the management of the Kirov branch of AVVA RUS have applied for Russian citizenship (they are Ukrainian citizens). So it turns out: on one hand, they pollute (dumping their waste directly onto the ground behind the fence), and on the other, they want to become Russian citizens.”

“Guest_Dedushka_Otmoroz wrote 24.12.2015 - 23:36: Avva Rus is in shock and trying to clean their dirty asses))) You, who bought lignin from BKhZ, should keep quiet. By the way, what substance are you producing everything from now? Well, go on, keep fantasizing.”

“Guest_Recently Dropped By wrote 25.12.2015 - 00:17: Stop lying. BKhZ can present a pile of contracts for your purchase of lignin. Where do you get it now - that's the murky question? I just can't understand: one waste product (lignin) is destroyed, others buy it from them and make tablets out of it. So it turns out AVVA's tablets are made from BKhZ waste? I can't stand BKhZ and won't buy this manufacturer's tablets anymore! It turns out I've been consuming BKhZ waste (Laktofiltrum).”

Credit must be given to the judicial authority, which delivered a fair ruling in the case between "AVVA RUS" and LLC "Editorial Office of the Newspaper 'Nash Variant'." It is gratifying that the judiciary also understands this problem, gives appropriate assessment to such actions by journalists, and delivers fair judicial decisions.

There is no freedom without responsibility. It is necessary to comply with the law and ethical norms, not to use journalism as a "harlot for the mob's consumption."

Since December 2015, I have often browsed Kirov newspapers. What catches the eye? Almost the majority of all publications carry negativity and inform readers about accidents, thefts, sexual violence against animals, etc. A complete degradation of journalism as such... I do not think the residents of Kirov deserve such publications. I am sure there are enough news stories and topics in the Region and the city that could worthily fill the pages of Kirov newspapers.

The Acting Governor of the Kirov Region, I.V. Vasiliev, is making efforts to create an investment climate in the Kirov Region. Entrepreneurs need to believe in a favorable climate and invest in business in the Kirov Region—this means our Kirov roads, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, transport...

If newspaper pages are used solely for someone's self-serving interests, and journalists make unverified accusations, I AM SURE this will be an unfavorable factor for the business environment in Kirov and the Kirov Region.

I believe such phenomena must be combated by all available legal means.

I do not want to think that one day will come when, paraphrasing Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov, we will have to say: "And God forbid you read Kirov newspapers before lunch."

I was born in 1967 in Leningrad. In my childhood, newspapers, besides their main function—informational and entertaining—were also used by people for other needs. For example, newspapers were used to wallpaper walls, to wrap herring, or to wrap feet for ice skating. Today, there are newspapers that cannot even be used for such purposes. I doubt that, given the materials published on their pages—violence, unreliable data, unsupported accusations, and sometimes publications initiated for settling scores and pursuing self-interest—these newspapers would warm feet, hold wallpaper firmly, or wrap herring (which nowadays comes in convenient consumer packaging anyway).

Considering the above, I believe that the development of journalism—Journalism with a capital J, not baseless chatter, accusations, rudeness, and filth—should be promoted by all people who sincerely consider Journalism their profession, relying on their experience and knowledge, and taking into account what the Russian school of journalism has taught and teaches.

As Professor Preobrazhensky said: "Patients who do not read newspapers feel splendid. Those, however, whom I specifically made read '……' newspapers—lost weight. Moreover. Diminished knee reflexes, poor appetite, depressed state of mind."

And just what newspaper name will be mentioned in quotes in this quote depends on you.

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Sincerely,

Alexey G. Egorov
General Director
JSC "AVVA RUS"