An international conference on “Russia beyond myths and stereotypes: moral values, media and religion” was held in Moscow from 19 to 22 June. Promoted by UCIP, the International Catholic Union of the press, in collaboration with the archdiocese of the Russian capital, the conference was attended by journalists from over ten nations. The conference programme comprised various interventions, all of them united by a single connecting thread: Russia in this time of social, political, economic and cultural transition. The conference was opened by Archbishop Thaddeus Kondrusevich of Moscow, who underlined the role of journalists in the modern world and “their great responsibility since what they write assumes particular significance in the eyes of public opinion. In this sense, he added, “moral values and faith need a particular defence. Catholic communicators are called to serve as the leaven of objectivity and truth”. The same question was tackled by Monsignor Ante Jozic, of the Holy See’s representation in Russia, who reaffirmed the principal aims of Catholic journalists: “discovering the Christian truth and enriching the faithful”. “Communication and information – said UCIP President Ismar de Oliveira Soares – are essential to involve people in the process of change and development of society and to remove unfavourable social conditions. The journalist must promote the fundamental human values and support every positive effort of society”. The Russian journalist Alexei Pivovarov of the NTV channel brought his experience to the UCIP conference: “Russian society – he said – is not religious. People go to church only on the major festivities. At the present time coverage of religious events in the Russian media is largely limited to the speeches and visits of Patriarch Alexei II”. After the end of the Conference, the UCIP held – again in Moscow – its own general assembly, during which it elected the Frenchman Didier Robillard to the post of vice-president.
