Maria Vlasova, Editor-in-Chief of financial portal “Akchabar”: global media discourse has become more pluralistic, with global information space now more accessible to audiences worldwide

The TV BRICS International Media Network presents a special project for the 20th anniversary of BRICS: “Global Media Briefing.” Expert commentary from representatives of the leading media of BRICS+ countries, partners of the media network, covers issues of shaping a unified global agenda, building a multipolar system of global media communications, current trends and key events of the past 20 years for the development of media discourse, and forecasts for the further evolution of the media landscape.

How has digitalisation changed the global media discourse? Why do Eurasian countries need a common information space, and how can effective cooperation between media outlets be established? These questions are answered by Maria Vlasova, Editor-in-Chief of the financial portal “Akchabar”.

What event of the past 20 years would you identify as the most important for the development of media discourse and the establishment of a multipolar system of global media communications?

I believe that one of the most important events of the past 20 years for the development of media discourse and the formation of a multipolar system of global media communications has been the rapid growth of the internet and digital platforms. The internet has become a key media environment that has accelerated the dissemination of information and made events taking place in different parts of the world accessible almost in real time.

The emergence of social networks, online media outlets and user-generated content has weakened the dominance of traditional media centres and enabled different countries, communities and individual authors to create their own narratives. As a result, global media discourse has become more diverse and decentralised.

How has the image of international journalism changed over the past 20 years? What, in your opinion, are the current trends and key events of the past 20 years that have influenced the transformation and development of media discourse in the global information space?

The image of international journalism has changed under the influence of digitalisation and the transformation of the global media space. Thanks to the development of the internet, social networks and digital platforms, international journalism has become significantly more rapid and multi-channel, while journalists have gained direct access to primary sources of information and eyewitness accounts through user-generated content and online expert communities.

The professional role of an international journalist has also changed. Increasingly, journalists act not only as sources of information but also as mediators, analysts and data verifiers in an environment of information overload. Competition with bloggers and alternative media, as well as the influence of digital platform algorithms, has transformed both the perception of the profession itself and the ways in which the international agenda is shaped.

Key trends of recent years include the growth of citizen journalism and the strengthening role of social networks in covering international events, as well as the emergence of information and hybrid conflicts, in which the media have become an important tool of influence. As a result, international media discourse has become more diverse, while the global information space has become more accessible to a wider audience.

What is your forecast for the development of media communications and the further evolution of the media space over the next 20 years? How will approaches, technologies and meanings change?

Over the next 20 years, the development of media communications will be directly linked to the further integration of artificial intelligence into media production and information distribution. Today, AI is already actively used in newsrooms, and in the future it is possible that partially or fully virtual newsrooms will emerge, where a significant part of routine processes will be automated. This process can be compared to a new “industrial revolution” that will transform not only technologies but also the very structure of the profession.

Approaches to journalism and media production will change. Journalists will increasingly perform the role of AI system operators, responsible for setting tasks, verifying information, interpreting data and creating meanings. The importance of skills in fact-checking, working with digital platform algorithms, visualisation and personalisation of content for specific audiences will also grow.

The media space itself will undergo fundamental changes. It is likely that traditional media websites will face a crisis similar to the decline of print media, while the primary consumption of content will take place through social networks.

In terms of meaning, the media will increasingly serve not only as a source of news but also as a navigation tool in an environment of information saturation. The key value will become not speed, but trust and context.

What issues related to your country’s domestic and foreign agenda, civic national initiatives and specific upcoming events should receive attention from media outlets in other countries in order to fully demonstrate the role and contribution of your state to the development of multilateral relations and the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples?

In order to fully demonstrate the role and contribution of Kyrgyzstan to the development of multilateral relations and the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples, media outlets in other countries should pay attention to several key areas of the republic’s domestic and foreign agenda.

In terms of domestic affairs, it is important to highlight the image of Kyrgyzstan as a relatively progressive state in the region. This concerns the development of legislation and economic institutions: the country was among the first in Central Asia to introduce cryptocurrency regulation, launched a gold-backed stablecoin, and actively uses its hydropower potential, making it an important player in the field of green energy. Particular attention should also be paid to the stability of the national currency and the high rates of economic growth, thanks to which the republic has become one of the fastest-growing economies in recent years and occupies leading positions in a number of indicators within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

In terms of foreign affairs, international media should analyse Kyrgyzstan’s role in regional and integration processes. Amid active changes in foreign economic and foreign policy relations in recent years, the republic has significantly strengthened its position in the region, consistently defending its own interests and participating in the formation of a common agenda within the Eurasian and international space. Covering these processes will help present Kyrgyzstan not as a peripheral participant, but as an actor in international relations.

Civic and national initiatives also deserve attention. These include the development of entrepreneurship, digital projects and environmental initiatives. Such topics help audiences better understand the country’s social dynamics and move beyond stereotypes.

Among specific events contributing to the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples, cultural and international events such as the World Nomad Games hold a special place. Their coverage makes it possible to reveal Kyrgyzstan’s cultural identity and demonstrate the traditions of nomadic peoples and their contribution to the development of intercultural dialogue.

Overall, coverage of the above-mentioned topics by international media will help create a more multidimensional and up-to-date image of Kyrgyzstan.

What can journalists from other states do to dispel stereotypes and help promote a more relevant image of your country?

Journalists from other countries can play a key role in dispelling stereotypes and shaping a more relevant image of Kyrgyzstan. To achieve this, it is important not to limit coverage to superficial stories and established clichés but to refer to official data, build partnerships with local media outlets and experts, and include the perspectives of the country’s own citizens in their materials.

In addition, promoting a modern image of Kyrgyzstan can be supported by focusing on positive and lesser-known topics — the development of civil society, cultural and creative industries, regional tourism, entrepreneurship and digital initiatives.

How do you view the idea of creating a unified Eurasian information space? In what formats can and should cooperation between media outlets of different countries develop? Do you have experience of international cooperation with journalists and media organisations from other states? Is such cooperation useful and important?

I view the idea of creating a unified Eurasian information space positively, as under the conditions of economic and political integration of the countries of the region, it represents a natural continuation of the processes already taking place within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. Given that Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the EAEU since 2015, events and decisions made within the framework of the Union directly affect the situation inside the country. In this context, the formation of a common information field is important not only for news exchange, but also for analysis, forecasting and a more informed public dialogue.

Cooperation between media outlets of different countries can and should develop in various formats, depending on objectives and audiences. These may include joint multimedia projects and video content, cross-border journalistic investigations, expert discussions and analytical materials involving specialists from countries across the region, as well as digital newsletters and platforms containing unified basic information about processes within the EAEU. Such formats contribute to the coordination of agendas, the reduction of misinformation and the development of mutual trust between audiences in different countries, while preserving editorial independence and national specificities.

I do have experience of international cooperation with journalists and media outlets from other countries, although it has been occasional in nature. Nevertheless, even this form of interaction has proved useful in terms of understanding the context in which colleagues from other countries work, as well as improving the quality of materials through more accurate and balanced presentation of information.

True journalism – how do you understand this phrase, and what does it mean to you?

For me, true journalism is above all a responsible professional activity aimed at informing society about events taking place in the city, the country and the world. A journalist is not simply a person who conveys information but a specialist capable of identifying significant facts, distinguishing them from information noise and presenting them to audiences through language, visualisation and modern media technologies.

At the same time, in my view, true journalism is impossible without critical thinking and high professional ethics. A journalist is responsible not only for the accuracy of published information but also for its social consequences. A journalist does not accept statements at face value, knows how to distinguish expertise from populism, does not seek short-term attention through sensationalism and scandals, and understands the value of each piece of work in shaping the public agenda.

I consider serving the public interest to be an essential task of true journalism. It does not impose ready-made interpretations and assessments on audiences but helps people independently analyse events, draw their own conclusions and participate in meaningful public dialogue. In this sense, journalism performs not only an informational but also an educational and social function.

For me, an indicator of high-quality journalistic work is an active and thoughtful audience capable of continuing discussions on the topics raised, asking questions and engaging in constructive dialogue. It is precisely this interaction between a journalist and a reader that, in my opinion, defines the essence of true journalism.