Russian-language media outlets receive awards at WARP congress

PARIS, October 21 /TASS/. A number of Russian-language media outlets on Thursday received awards at the congress of World Association of Russian Press (WARP), which is under way at the UNESCO headquarters. Mikhail Seslavinsky, the head of the Russian Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications, awarded the Russian government’s Certificates of Commendation to three Russian-language editions such as "Slovo" (Portugal), "Vechyorka" (Tajikistan) and "Vestnik" (Cyprus). "This is a sign of recognition of the work, which is often uneasy, of the Russian-language media abroad," Seslavinsky stressed. The forum has been organized by the World Association of Russian Press (WARP). The opening of the XVIII WARP congress coincided with the inauguration of the Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Center in Paris on Wednesday. The congress will discuss how to preserve and strengthen the Russian language positions on a global scale. Contacts and interaction with a multi-million Russian-speaking community abroad is an important part of the forum’s work. Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky read a message of greeting from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the congress’ delegates. "For many years, your congress has been assembling the heads of media outlets from various countries of the world. This format of communication is extremely important for consolidating the Russian-language media space; for exchanging professional experience and working out new ideas and projects," the Russian leader said in his address. "Your work designed to distribute full-fledged and truthful information becomes particularly important in the difficult present-day international situation," Putin stressed. Today, WARP unites more than 3,000 printed and electronic media outlets, which come out in Russian in 80 foreign countries. It is the only world association of Russian-speaking journalists who work abroad, publishers as well as printing, electronic and other types of media outlets. Through the years of its existence, WARP has consolidated the Russian-language media; preserved close cultural and language links of the Russian-speaking Diaspora with Russia; promoted partnership and all-round development of dialogue between the Russian-language media abroad and colleagues in the home country. Read more