On 25 April, in the view of the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the United Nations Information Centre hosted a reception organized together with the UN Office in the Russian Federation and other UN agencies. Apart from UN representatives, among those who took part in the meeting were representatives of Russian ministries and agencies working in this area, NGOs, and a wide range of journalists. Participation of mass media was especially important, as the event was also dedicated to the World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on 3 May on the UN initiative.

The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident is prompting a new wave of alarmist claims about its impact on human health and environment. Representatives of mass media took an active part in the discussion of the conclusions of the Chernobyl Forum (the Forum includes eight UN agencies, as well as representatives of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine). According to the Chernobyl Forum, the picture is both badly distorted and harmful to the victims of the Chernobyl accident. According to studies conducted by the United Nations, the impact of radiation has been less damaging than feared, and the main problem in the affected areas is not radioactive contamination, but the problem of poverty that can be resolved. In this connection, mass media could play an important role if instead of supporting existing myths and misconceptions; it helps the affected population regain faith in themselves and their future.

Ms. Mary Collins, acting Head of the Office of the WHO Director General’s Special Representative in Russia, Mr. Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative in the Russian Federation and Belarus, and Ms. Elena Armand, Head of UNDP Environment Unit, spoke about this and about specific programmes carried out by UN agencies. Mr. Pavel Vdovichenko, President of the regional Chernobyl NGO ‘Radimichi for the Children of Chernobyl,’ spoke about joint projects with UN that benefit children of the Bryansk oblast in Russia, affected by the Chernobyl accident.