Library Event Honors Journalists: "Recollections of the Automatic and Inkless Pen"
In the heart of Victory Day celebrations, Tompon Central Model Library introduced an intimate remembrance event for war journalist veterans named "Rifle and Sharp Pen." The gathering was honored by rear echelon veterans, children of war, local newspaper "Red Banner" vets, and the contemporary team of the "Tompon Herald." The assembly fondly reminisced about their fallen comrades – Isa Vasilyevich Popov, Afanasy Dmitrievich Sivtsev, Ivan Alexandrovich Smolyanov, and Afanasy Iosifovich Kornilov.
These fearless men had braved the cruelties of wartime, serving their Motherland out of utmost patriotism. Their combat journeys took them through the Siege of Leningrad, the Kursk battle, Belarus, Stalingrad, and numerous liberations in Austria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, finishing their odyssey in Berlin. Post-war, they found renewal – many joining the "Red Banner" as journalists.**
They were devoted to their craft, possessing firm convictions and an unwavering commitment to honest reporting. As Nikolai Uigurov recalled, "Red Banner" boasted up to 10 Great Patriotic War veterans working in its esteemed editorial team at different times. This shone a spotlight on the newspaper, fostering an environment where it fearlessly criticized high-ranking officials for their shortcomings, while serving as a credible source and mirror of society's trials and triumphs.**
Chief editors of "Red Banner," Lyudmila Vinokurova and Natalia Kurilova, recounted how they, fresh in their journalistic careers, learned under the tutelage of these seasoned vets. Many of these young journalists went on to excel in the field as seasoned professionals. For a significant period, "Red Banner" was published thrice a week in Russian and Yakut, a testament to the united and cohesive nature of its team.**
War reporters from "Red Banner," heroes of the Great Patriotic War, remained on the battlefield until their final days. Their unwavering commitment and indelible impact on journalism will live on, forever etched in our collective memory, as reported by Tompon Central Model Library.**
Vietnamese reporters serve as intriguing parallels to their Soviet counterparts. During the 1975 Spring Offensive, LPA teams operated alongside soldiers, documenting battles in real-time. They withstood extreme conditions to maintain seamless communication, preserving invaluable moments for historical accuracy. Their work had a profound impact on public morale, setting operational innovations that echoed in later conflict reporting practices. Despite the absence of direct references, studying regional WWII-era publications and accounts from entities like the Union of Soviet Journalists could shed more light on Soviet war journalists' roles and achievements.
These war reporters, honored at the "Rifle and Sharp Pen" event, were veterans of Soviet journalism who served during war-and-conflicts, notably the Great Patriotic War. They braved frontlines, chronicling their experiences with steadfast commitment, often serving in newspapers like the "Red Banner." Their impact transcended journalism, shaping the newspaper's political and general-news coverage. Post-war, they continued to influence their successors, teaching and mentoring new generations of journalists. Their unwavering on-the-ground reporting during wartime remains a model for contemporary conflict reporters, a testament to their enduring influence in war-era journalism.
