Russian TV ready to train Phl government journalists

MANILA, Philippines — A Russian television network is willing to train employees of state-run media entities in the Philippines as part of an effort to promote greater exchanges between Manila and Moscow.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Jusan Vincent Arcena said the engagement with television network RT would allow Russian journalists to share best practices that are different from those in the western media.

“They’re very open and welcome collaborations with us in the future, especially RT. They offered training programs for our journalists, especially those working for the state media,” Arcena said in an interview with government station Radyo Pilipinas on Friday. 

The collaboration, the Philippines’ first partnership with Russia on media cooperation, was discussed on the sidelines of President Duterte’s official visit to Moscow early this month. 

In its website, RT described itself as an autonomous, non-profit organization that is publicly financed from the budget of the Russian Federation. It is a global, round-the-clock news network of eight TV channels with digital platforms in six languages. 

Arcena said the Philippines would participate in RT’s international seminar course, which seeks to acquaint the Philippine media with the work of the television network.