Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that a concerted stance by the mass media can be very helpful in addressing the most pressing problems of today. He expressed this opinion of his in a message of greeting to the leaders of the world media community, who have gathered in Moscow for the World Media Summit at the initiative of ITAR-TASS.
"It is important your forum has been building up its authority - as an influential public discussion floor for considering topical and pressing issues of today. The mass media's concerted stance can and must play a tangible, truly unique role in addressing these issues. It is the diversity of media resources - from daily newspapers to television channels and electronic mass media and the Internet - that largely determines the current and future realities in world politics, the economy and in all spheres of life. This role requires high professional civil and moral responsibility.
"For this reason I believe it is very important the agenda of the summit includes such key issues as the evolvement of ethnical norms for the mass media community to follow, enhancement of the guarantees of impartiality and independence of journalism, guarantees of the freedom of speech, the promotion of an equitable and constructive dialogue with bodies of state power, business circles and non-governmental organizations," Putin said.
"I do hope that informal and meaningful discussions will be held within the framework of this summit and that foreign participants in the forum will have an excellent opportunity to see for themselves the realities of Russia's present-day life and enjoy to the full the friendly and hospitable atmosphere of our capital."
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