An independent Russian-Canadian civic project “Evolvement of Russian mass media as an implement of democracy: State and private corporations’ policy” started in Moscow in 2001 is being successfully carried out.

    Its organizers are: RUSSIA - Gorbachev Foundation, Moscow State University, International Press Club, Russian Union of Journalists; CANADA – Mount Allison University, University of Calgary.

    The Russian democratic reformation presume the State and private corporations' policy should promote Russian mass media evolvement and development both as an implement of democracy and a civic society constituent. However, experts’ majority keeps to the point of view that mass media in number of cases represent separate State agencies' or private corporations' interests to the detriment of the interests of the whole society. This practice often turns them into the instrument of misinformation and manipulation of the public opinion instead of being the source objective and vital information.

    This problem is acute not only for Russia but for the international community as well.

    The aim of the Project is to perform a proficient deep analysis of the reasons and results of this information misbalance between the State, private corporations and civic society, to find out mechanisms how to optimize the situation.

    Project task is to perform a complex, detailed and proficient assessment of the information-communication sphere situation, formulate the results as an analytic report and recommendations which are to be delivered to the State agencies, private corporations and civic society and media in order to promote their implementation into the practice.

    On October 31, 2001 within the framework of the Project a starting event – Roundtable meeting of Russian and Canadian experts of media matters – was held in Moscow at Gorbachev Foundation conference hall. Most relevant problems of Russian media development were revealed.

    A special brochure of the Roundtable Russian and Canadian participants’ speeches was prepared and published. A complex of researches started.

    From May 4 to May 13 2002 within the framework of the Project a visit of Alexander Chumikov, International Press Club General Director, Russian Project Director, and Alexander Babenko, Deputy IPC General Director, Project International Cooperation Manager, was organized.

    During the visit meetings with the members of the Canadian Government and Parliament, prominent public figures were held: William Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada; Joseph A. Day, Senator of Canada, New Brunswick; Brent St. Denis, MP, House of Commons; His Excellency John Ralston Saul, Canadian writer and public figure, Governor General’s Spouse; Francoise Ducros, Director of Communications, Office of the Prime Minister; Christopher Dornan, Director of Journalism and Communications, Carleton University, Canada.

    On May 10, 2002 at Mount Allison University Russian representatives took part in the Russian-North American Conference on Journalism. During its afternoon session an E-conference hook-up was arranged between MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY and UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY.

    The reports at the Conference were made by: Wayne Hunt, Professor of Political Science at Mount Allison University, Canadian Project Director; Patrick Watson, Ex-chairman of CBC 1989-1994; Stephen Kimber, Head of Journalism at King's/Dalhousie University; Alexander Chumikov, Doctor of Political Science, Professor at Moscow State University, General Director of the International Press Club, Russian Project Director; Michael Levine, Executive Producer of “The Struggle for Democracy”, Goodmans lawyer, leading specialist in media legislative regulation; Gwynne Dyer, military historian, lecturer at Oxford University, internationally-syndicated columnist, author of CBC TV documentary “The War”; Alexander Babenko, Deputy General Director of the International Press Club; Brian Stewart, senior correspondent for Public and Foreign Affairs at CBC; David Mitchel, Director Communications, University of Calgary (E-teleconference hook-up).