RT Academy Connects Young Media Professionals at the International Festival of Youth

RT Academy took part in the International Festival of Youth, bringing together students, young journalists and festival participants for four days of discussions, practical sessions and professional exchange.

As part of the festival’s Media Stream programme, RT Academy experts took part in eight events, including plenary discussions, masterclasses, a public talk and a workshop. More than 5,000 people visited the RT stand, while over 3,500 participants attended the Academy’s sessions.

The programme featured RT professionals from different editorial teams: Rick Sanchez, journalist and host of Sanchez Effect on RT; Fan Fei, Chinese blogger, journalist and producer at RT China; Vsevolod Pulya, Head of RT China and Editor-in-Chief of the Window to Russia project; Boris Gorlov, Director of RT’s Creative Development Directorate and Director of RT’s Innovation Directorate; Dmitry Leontiev, Senior Producer at RT International; and Maria Vazhnova, presenter and correspondent for RT China.

The speakers shared practical experience in the key areas shaping today’s media landscape: artificial intelligence, social-media strategy, international news production, viral interviews and the promotion of a country’s image abroad.

Boris Gorlov discussed RT’s work with AI and the opportunities it creates for media professionals. Vsevolod Pulya and Fan Fei shared insights into RT China’s work with social media, intercultural communication and audience engagement. Dmitry Leontiev led a workshop on turning any event into international news content, while Maria Vazhnova focused on social media and country image-building for overseas audiences.

Rick Sanchez held a public talk on creating impactful and viral interviews, encouraging young journalists to think critically, challenge familiar formats and develop their own style. He also moderated the plenary discussion “Russia’s Image in the Global Information Space”, which explored the role of media, dialogue and trust in shaping perceptions of a country abroad.