Russia allocates RUB 80 million to bribe foreign journalists

In 2023 and 2024, Moscow will host Chestnyi Vzglyad (Honest View) competitions for foreign journalists with banquets and prizes. 

The Russian media outlet Agentstvo (Agency) drew attention to the tenders for the competitions.

The customer of the tenders is the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation. This organisation is used by Russia for its "soft" influence on foreign audiences.

According to the tender documents, each conference will cost about RUB 40 million.

The organiser is supposed to attract journalists from 79 countries. They will fly to Moscow for Russian money, stay in a hotel, take part in training and a banquet, and receive prizes. The prize fund is RUB 2.5 million.

The client has set the following goals for the competition:

_ to encourage foreigners to cover Russia's participation in humanitarian projects

_ to broadcast a positive agenda for strengthening the Russian Federation 

_ to raise awareness of foreigners about Russia's participation in projects aimed at improving people's living standards. 

Chestnyi Vzglyad has already been held in 2022. The Russians claim that 118 journalists from 28 countries, including EU member states France and Ireland, took part in the competition.