BRICS Journalists Unite in Brazil to Promote Cultural Diplomacy, Media Cooperation

The BRICS Press Meeting, organized by Toda Palavra in partnership with TV BRICS and TV Comunitária de Brasília, opened this week in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, bringing together journalists and media professionals from across the BRICS nations to foster deeper cultural and media collaboration.

The event began with a keynote speech by Marco Lucchesi, President of Brazil’s National Library Foundation, who highlighted the rich cultural heritage of BRICS countries as a catalyst for integration and socio-economic development.

According to TV BRICS, Lucchesi introduced the concept of “cultural diplomacy,” stressing its transformative potential across national borders.

“When we look at the cultural differences of BRICS, we grow even more,” Lucchesi noted. “We multiply thanks to this great heritage of languages — constructions that have been passed down through the millennia.”

The conference emphasized how linguistic diversity and cultural exchange among BRICS members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — could be harnessed to build mutual understanding and solidarity in a multipolar world.

Another key focus of the meeting was the growing role of independent journalism in challenging dominant global narratives and supporting balanced, diverse perspectives. Luiz Augusto Erthal, Founder and Director of Toda Palavra, said the event aimed to provide a platform for independent media voices aligned with the BRICS mission of multipolarity.

“The group was formed in the interests of multipolarity of power among nations and the construction of a more just world,” Erthal said. “We are seeing many independent journalists making efforts to promote these changes.”

A round table discussion titled “Developing Independent Communication Networks for the Southern Hemisphere” brought together media professionals from BRICS member states, including Svetlana Shlyubul, International Projects Coordinator at TV BRICS. She emphasized the strategic importance of media collaboration for achieving meaningful integration.

“In today's world, the media is the main tool for shaping information reality and public opinion,” said Shlyubul. “Coordinated and effective cooperation between the media is not only desirable but necessary.”

Fernando Horta, historian and researcher at Brazil’s Ministry of Science and Technology, added that communication around BRICS initiatives plays a pivotal role in raising global awareness and reshaping international power structures.

“Public knowledge about BRICS' actions is fundamental to legitimising and strengthening integration processes,” Horta said. “The current geopolitical transition in the world requires citizens to be informed about the new power dynamics.”

Participants agreed to make this forum a recurring platform, signaling a commitment to strengthen communication networks and reinforce the shared vision of a multipolar and inclusive global media landscape.

The BRICS Press Meeting marks a significant step toward closer media cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and the development of independent information ecosystems that reflect the diverse voices of the Global South.