Penza, 4 May 2012. PenzaNews. The festive event devoted to 95th anniversary of the oldest regional newspaper “Penzenskaya Pravda,” took place in editor office on Friday, May 4. The governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev, the speaker of regional parliament Alexander Gulyakov, the mayor of Penza Ivan Belozertsev, the bishop of Penza and Kuznetsk Veniamin and other officials came to congratulate the editorial staff celebrating anniversary.

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“I wish editorial staff future creative work. Now there are many mass media which prefer to report about negative sides of life. On the one hand, we need critics, but such position must be reconsidered for we could bring up younger generation basing on goodness we have. And critics, in turn, should be fair and competent to benefit civil society,” said Vasily Bochkarev in congratulatory speech and handed over grateful letters and gifts to the editorial staff.

The chairman of Legislative assembly of the Penza region Alexander Gulyakov reminded of the time when people were afraid of “Penzenskaya Pravda” journalists’ sharp pen more than of a party reprimand.”

“Now the press lost its prestige and it is necessary to regain it. However, residents of the region still read and respect “Penzenskaya Pravda,” admitted the speaker of the regional parliament.

The head of Penza Ivan Belozertsev thanked newspaper editorial staff for cooperation with the city authorities and deputies of Municipal Duma and wished them health, happiness and further success.