Political observer and journalist Valentin Zorin: biography

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

Valentin Zorin is the master of political journalism. He was a publicist, international political commentator, television and radio broadcaster and host, American historian, and author of numerous books.

For more than a quarter of a century, he talked about the situation in the world on TV screens, interviewed top officials of states, millions of viewers trusted his opinion and assessments. Many of today's journalists can say that Valentin Zorin was their main authority in the profession.

Biography

The life and work of the journalist were full of accomplishments, he had a keen interest in his work, in expanding his own horizons, as well as the desire to convey information to the audience and readers in its entirety.

Some biography milestones:

1943 - admission to the newly opened faculty of international journalism at Moscow State University. Valentin Zorin became a student of the first group of the legendary educational institution, which later received a separate status: the Moscow Institute of International Relations, this happened in December 1944.
1948 - graduation and placement in first placeservices.
From 1948 to 1955 he worked as a columnist in the International Department of the All-Union Radio. In the same period, he began to conduct the author's radio program "View from Moscow", broadcast in the USA.
From 1955 to 1965, he served as deputy editor-in-chief of the news program at the All-Union Radio. During this period, the first trip abroad (1956) to England took place as part of a delegation, where Khrushchev and Bulganin were present. During the meetings, Valentin Zorin conducted live radio reports.

Scientist and TV presenter

Career V. S. Zorina developed rapidly, like any talented persistent person. In addition to his journalistic activities, he became a scientist, TV presenter, and in this field brought a lot of benefits to society.

During 1965-1967 was engaged in teaching activities at MGIMO of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was entrusted with the training of international journalists as the head of the department.
Besides working as a teacher, since 1965 Zorin Valentin Sergeevich became an observer of the Central Television and Radio of the USSR on political issues. The staff unit was introduced for the first time, and Zorin became the legislator of traditions, a high level of professionalism in work.
In 1967, Valentin Zorin became one of the founders of the Institute for the Study of the United States and Canada, in a scientific institution he is engaged in administrative and research activities as head of the department of domestic policy.
At the turn of the 70-80s from TV screens, hetalks about the world political situation, being the host of the TV shows “Today in the World”, “America of the Seventies”, “9th Studio”, the audience especially remembered the program “International Panorama”.
In 1997, Valentin Sergeevich Zorin became the first deputy chairman of the Federation of Peace and Accord, and also received the title of honorary president in this organization.
Since 2000, he has been engaged in journalistic and political activities as a columnist at the Voice of Russia radio company.

International journalism

The activity of a pen worker consists in a high-quality and truthful presentation of the entirety of information to the mass reader, viewer, listener. Valentin Zorin saw his task in this. The journalist interviewed many foreign figures, politicians, presidents. Among them were Charles de Gaulle, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Henry Kessinger, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and many others. Top officials of the USSR trusted him and gave interviews with pleasure to Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nikita Khrushchev, Yuri Andropov.

Expert of international relations

In addition to his journalistic activities, Valentin Zorin applied his experience and knowledge as an adviser to delegations conducting difficult negotiations, for example, during the historic meeting between N. Kosygin and Johnson. He was also up to the role of an expert in the negotiations held at the highest state level. M. Gorbachev used his advice in negotiations with Rockefeller, Ford,Kessinger and others. Also, the journalist and scientist took an expert part in the work of three UN sessions from the USSR delegation. As a person who devoted a lot to the cause of international politics, he believed that the interests of his state and their protection is the only important strategy, everything else is tactics.

TV shows

The cycles of television programs created by Zorin were filled with information, revealed to the viewer the unknown sides of world politics and the life of ordinary citizens of different countries. In the USSR, everything that was outside the borders was little known to an ordinary citizen. To spread awareness, many secretly listened to foreign radio stations and enjoyed watching the TV show "International Panorama", which gave an overview of world politics.

For millions of Soviet viewers, Valentin Zorin became the man who discovered America, showed the life of the American hinterland, spoke in detail about political events, gave food for thought, helping to understand the intricacies of events.

Publicism

Journalists often demonstrate the talent of a writer and publicist, so was Valentin Zorin. The books that came out from under his pen are fascinating and interesting. He wrote dozens of monographs, articles (works were translated into foreign languages), which enjoy attention in the world. His books are still in demand today. Some have been reprinted many times, for example, "Mr. Millionaires" was published nine times, the book "The Uncrowned Kings of America" received fivereissues. The last, lifetime work - "The Unknown about the Known" - was published by the Vagrius publishing house in the year 2000.

Awards

Valentin Zorin used his talent and knowledge for the benefit of the country, for the development of good neighborly relations between the USSR, and later Russia, with the world community. His efforts in the cause of peace and cooperation were highly appreciated by many state awards, prizes and thanks. He was awarded 2 orders of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of the October Revolution and the Badge of Honor, he had numerous medals to his credit.

Also V. S. Zorin was a laureate of the State Prizes of the USSR, Russia, the Vorovsky Prize. In scientific and teaching activities, he was a professor at MGIMO, a doctor of historical sciences, a talented teacher (he trained more than thirty students, among whom there are world-famous scientists). He was an honored worker of culture.

Valentin Sergeevich was an open person, proud of his friendship with outstanding talented people of his time, such as Paustovsky, Ulanova, Simonov, Raikin and many others. Loved classical music, theater.

People's Host

He was happy to communicate with a variety of people in Russia and abroad. Sometimes, giving an assessment of his work, he noted that he always tried to be honest with the viewer. Some examples convincingly prove this. While in the United States several years ago and having already ceased active public activity, he met a Russian émigré on Madison Avenue who saidthe following: “Listen, are you Zorin?”. "Yes," I say, "Zorin." “It's great that I met you, you know, when I lived with us, at home, - he just said:“with us, at home! - I scolded you very much for slandering America. Now I live here and you, yes, I scold you again - now for the fact that you spoke too softly about America. If I had known what life was like here, I would never have left!” Human memory is the best reward for a journalist and politician.

B. S. Zorin was a multifaceted personality, one of the best world-famous journalists, a writer, an author of TV programs and made a significant contribution to the scientific and political treasury of the country's knowledge.