Dmitry Gudkov: “Disappearing is like that for everyone”

“Ever since I studied journalism at Moscow State University, I remember the respect that television professionals had for the TEFI Award. It was, however, prestigious - to be recognized by colleagues and to know that you are the best. State awards even then were losing all value; jokes about medals “For dubious services to the fatherland”, Kadyrov became a Hero of Russia - but the recognition of his colleagues mattered. And this also ended. Kiselyov received a TEFI for the best information and analytical program,” the politician writes on Facebook .

“In today’s award there are a lot of such stories. The author of the investigation about the flat Earth, a certain Igor Prokopenko, becomes the best educator, for example.

But Kiselev outdid everyone. He probably convinced himself that he got it rightfully: after all, this is a reward from his colleagues. From people like him.

Lose yourself, becoming a household name. I wonder if they have their own table of ranks? Nightingale droppings still turn one’s nose up, but the Koktebel winemaker might even get hit on the shoulder? (Upd: but no, Soloviev is already the best interviewer.)

This is what professional success looks like in the current court. Focus on this: get a gimmick, get promoted to high ranks, they’ll let you kill some news agency, and then, who knows, they’ll allow you to wear not only colored socks in public, but also pants.

On the other hand, why is journalism better than science, where every first minister has a copied dissertation? What is better than a culture where the one who is not yet sitting is a confidant? Better than politics, in the end, where is parliament - a monster of oblo, mischievous, bowing and barking?

So be it. To disappear - so to everything. To rebuild is like starting from scratch."