Scientific barrier to historical falsifications

Presidential Library will confront falsifications in Russian history. These activities will involve scientists from St. Petersburg State University and other universities, the academic and student community, journalists and bloggers. At the conference "State and Journalism in Russia: Historical studies" held at the Presidential Library March 21, 2013 there was emphasized the need for accurate, impartial and objective interpretation of historical events.

Decision on the organization and the venue of the meeting, which was attended by over 100 people, was made taking into account a unique collection of the Presidential Library, numbering about 240, 000 units of documents and materials on the history of Russian statehood. Most of them are digitized collections of archives, libraries and institutions, access to the originals of which is restricted. Digital copies allow all Internet users to see the rarities, form an opinion on the historical events relying on facts.

"Preservation of historical memory is necessary, interpretations are to be replaced by facts. We see it as an important role and social responsibility of journalism", said Head of Journalistic Department, St. Petersburg State University, Professor Ludmila Gromova. Professor of the sub-faculty of History and Journalism of the same department Vladimir Perkhin added that "the press should help build the state, which includes the development of democratic institutions. But it should be based on the morality in relation to the country and people."

It was decided to enhance the use of resources of the first Russian national digital library in journalistic investigations and research in history. As part of the Media Forum of the Northwest the Presidential Library announced the nomination "Historical journalistic investigations." The library has defined the priorities of research work jointly with the Association of Public Relations of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region, and Journalistic Department of St. Petersburg State University.

Some historians voiced opinions on civil and scientific passivity of some archival, academic and research institutes, departmental libraries when documents and materials were promulgated, and provided in digital environment to the general public. "It may slow down the process of confrontation of historical falsifications. The more important is the policy of openness and maximum accessibility supported by the Presidential Library," said Lyudmila Gromova. On the same day young scientists who study historical processes in Russia joined the library. Their work will include the facts obtained from the library’s electronic holdings.