Penza, 28 April 2015. PenzaNews. Two Penza journalists, PenzaNews agency editor-in-chief Pavel Polosin and “New social newspaper” assistant editor-in-chief Lyudmila Kolomytseva, took part in the plenary session of the 2nd St. Petersburg independent regional and local media forum “Truth and Justice” headed by the leader of All-Russian People’s Front, President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, April 28.

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The session was opened by the Russian State Duma deputy, co-chairman of the APF central headquarters Olga Timofeeva.

“Last year, here in this room, you gave us a direct order to support our fellow journalists across the country. And we are following your instructions,” she said, referring to the head of state.

Olga Timofeeva stressed that the hall gathered together the people who actually changed the world through their stories, articles and online materials.

“We may rightfully say this room gathers real patriots of their cities and towns, I would say, the patriots of Russia,” she said.

In his turn, Vladimir Putin thanked the journalists for their work.

“Last time we stressed, and it goes without saying, that the people who work in the regions and write about their regions know what is happening there better than anyone else – they see the flaws, the problems. And it is you, your timely actions, talent, openness, truthfulness with which you react to everything that happens in real life, that largely determines the quality of our lives, the lives of millions of our citizens. Because those who are engaged in the management, those involved in education, health, public services, [...]they have to react, even if they do not like to. This is an actual tool to improve life in the country and this is the real way to build a truly democratic state in Russia,” the President of the Russian Federation stressed.

During the dialogue with the APF leader, the audience touched upon topics related to investments, the May decrees, the salaries of officials, the problems in the housing sector, the provision of medicine to the population, and more.

The discussion continued after the official meeting with Vladimir Putin: first, the journalists took a photo together with the head of the state, and then kept him long enough asking questions, taking selfies and expressing gratitude not only for help in supporting independent media, but in general for the work and the policy line the President of Russia carries out.

After the event, the Penza journalists briefly shared their impressions.

In particular, PenzaNews agency editor-in-chief Pavel Polosin noted that it was the first time he participated in the journalists’ forum which this year was held by APF for the second time.

“I am very pleased with the direct and truly open dialogue that took place during the meeting with the President, the leader of the APF Vladimir Putin. Journalists from various regions spoke about what really bothered them. They asked some very interesting questions concerning the daily professional activities of many of our colleagues, including us. They shared their problems and proposed solutions. And the President of Russia answered the questions as frankly as they were asked. I can say that the atmosphere of openness in which this direct, let me notice once again, communication with regional journalists took place, strikes and delights at the same time. I believe, a lot of my colleagues will agree with this,” Pavel Polosin said.

In her turn, Lyudmila Kolomytseva noted that the meeting with the president of Russia has made a lasting impression on her.

“I was struck by the eyes of Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], because they are very warm. I would like to notice that he is a man of charisma, that, indeed, there are little people like he. You feel this. You perceive this when you meet him. He actually cares about people, and it shows. One cannot fake it,” she stressed.