On September 20, Tutta Larsen, a TV and radio presenter and journalist, spoke to participants of the World Youth Festival Assembly at the lecture hall of the Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society. She talked about how the media has changed in the digital age and shared some tips on how to keep viewers' attention.
The meeting was held as an open dialogue, with all interested participants able to ask the guest questions. Tutta Larsen talked about her experience, the importance of fundamental education, and touched on the challenges facing journalists at present days. In her opinion, professionals need to engage in critical thinking, verify information, and, most importantly, not give in to emotions.
"What helps me stay in the profession for 30 years, maintain my media influence and, most importantly, my reputation, is that I have always chosen topics that really interest and excite me — you could say, my pain. I explore myself, seek answers to my own questions through my profession, and talk about topics that I am passionate about, because only what burns inside you can ignite others," Tutta Larsen remarks.
According to her opinion, the attitude of "I'm going into this profession to become famous" is misguided.
"You become famous because you love your profession and do your job so well that it can't help but be noticed. Advertisers come to you, you earn more money. But that's still a consequence. The foundation should be your work, which you are passionate about. And something that excites and moves you so much that you can't keep quiet about it, you have to talk about it," Mrs. Larsen explained.
She also added that journalism can only be learned on the job. At the same time, a good fundamental education will help you work in different formats. According to her opinion, a person is a synthesis of different competencies, abilities, and knowledge, and there are endless opportunities to find your place in the media: "In fact, it's as if every person is already a media unit themselves. That is, you can create a new genre and a new direction in the media."
During her speech, Tutta Larsen touched on the topic of artificial intelligence in creative professions. The journalist noted that there are still many questions surrounding it: "We don't know the consequences of what we are using. Artificial intelligence itself is a tool, but the scale and speed with which it is being introduced into our lives and creative professions is very frightening. It seems to me that artificial intelligence is ultimately something akin to atomic energy. And it could be our downfall, or it could be a big and very interesting leap forward."
At the end of the meeting, the expert wished the participants of the World Youth Festival to find their voice in their profession, their theme, and their spark: "Continue to always develop, educate yourselves, learn, read, and study information, and develop critical thinking."
The World Youth Festival is being held from September 17 to 21 in Nizhny Novgorod. It is the first in the contemporary history of the festival movement, arranged on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Russian "Znanie" (Knowledge) Society is presenting an educational program at the Assembly and is also organizing unique special formats where festival participants can learn about Russia's achievements in various fields.
The general partners of the WYF Assembly-2025 are the Russian Music Union, JSC Russian Railways, and Phygital Games. The general information partner is the international television channel RT, and the general media partner is ANO Dialog Regions. The partner for the excursion and regional programs is the More Than Trip program. The strategic partner is VK Tech. Co. The following have also joined the partnership program: “New Generation” program arranged by the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Movement of the First, the presidential platform “Russia – Country of Opportunities”, Sovcombank, the Avito Tech. Co., State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society, the Film Studio Soyuzmultfilm, the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Central Bank of Russia, program for young entrepreneurs “Rosmolodezh.Undertake” and the Mashuk Knowledge Center. Information support for the event is provided by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Argumenty i Fakty publishing house, the African Initiative and the Window to Russia project of ANO “TV-Novosti”.
The organizer of the World Youth Festival Assembly is the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the co-organizer of the event is the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the event operator is the World Youth Festival Directorate. The Festival pursues the goals of the Youth and Children national project.
Overview:
In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place on the Sirius Federal Territory in 2024 and united 20,000 young people from 190 countries of the world, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. In 2026, there will be a smaller event, an International Youth Festival with 10,000 participants. In between, the World Youth Festival’s themed Assemblies will be held annually for 2,000 participants. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.
