Eduard Khairullin: ‘If you ask the President, he will definitely post you on Instagram’

'President's press service turned out to be very dynamic'

I'm Eduard Khairullin, head of the press service of the Apparatus of the Republic of Tatarstan. I worked in journalism. I have a work experience in central television, as it was called at that time. I spent there 13 years attending the Republic of Tatarstan and the nearest regions. It was an interesting time when we travelled all over the world, and I have been in Afghanistan twice. I was invited by the Taliban first, who don't accept any mass media in principle, and all TV channels were banned, only prayers were on the radio. This is why it was very unusual when journalists with TV cameras were invited. We were three people: one correspondent from NTV, a newspaper journalist and me. The Taliban showed us all country during a week and presented a carpet in the end – mine is still as sound as a bell. It was interesting to be in another world that lived without mass media, PR, open women's faces as if I had visited another planet. For this reason, I liked very much my journalistic work. Then events in Chechnya and Afghanistan began – I also visited these places. And it was also very informative to understand later what was going on: what you see on the screen and what is happening on the other side when you are working with the news.

The news was my profession during… I will count and say you. After 13 years in Channel One, I worked in Zvezda channel in Moscow. Then I returned to my motherland when I was invited to work as a deputy head of the press service 6 years ago. I will say in advance that I don't have slideshows, we will just talk. I had an immersion in the state service in Moscow once, and I thought I would never do something similar because it is not very close to a creative person. And when I was in the state service in Kazan – it happened this way – I understood that there were two big differences. Here in the republic, at least in our region, the state service and the President's press service turned out to be very dynamic.

I won't warn you of severities and hardships of state service because an interest can be found anywhere, especially when you have such a creative head like I was lucky to have.

One year ago was a designated as head of the President's press service. I'm sincerely glad that I like my work. Firstly, because you are next to the events that you are interested in and that affect people's lives who change the situation outside. And they do it daily without days off… For instance, today we worked, tomorrow at 10 a.m. we will be with the President in the historical centre. We attend the President of the republic, PM and State Advisor. I have girls who work with the organization of journalists and accreditation, there are personal specialists who take photos, shoot videos and write texts. I won't warn you of severities and hardships of state service because an interest can be found anywhere, especially when you have such a creative head like I was was lucky to have. He is open to new, non-standard things. And this is why I also like to work with him. Journalists also like it because he is always open.

'No time to be with my family…'

I offer you to revive the atmosphere. Ask some questions.

What about the schedule of you holidays and work?

I have only my work scheduled. There is no timetable for holidays because we depend on the first person whose workday starts at 6 a.m., as you probably all know, with a photo from his cabinet, then an English lesson – and then everything goes according to the agenda. My weekends are often connected with my work. I don't plan my holiday at this work, I plan almost nothing. But it has a fascination: at least you live… There is a problem, of course: I have no time to be with my family.

Was it an idea of the press service to create an Instagram account of the President of Tatarstan or was it done on his own?

He told it was his decision at a meeting with journalists. Kandelaki created an account on Twitter… In a word, Kandelaki and Ramzan Kadyrov connected him with social networks.

'I have to be thick-skinned'

How do you cope with criticism?

To tell the truth, I study under the President because he is very tolerant to the criticism. Well, we understand it is a work of journalists, it is necessary for them for a rating, comments, attendance, to have good and bright comments for citation index. I have to be thick-skinned and have a philosophical attitude towards criticism because every person has his or her own point of view.

What is the strategy of open authority in your opinion? Will you tell about it?

Open authority is when we come and openly tell how everything works. In Tatarstan, I think we are open enough and don't hide. When you have face-to-face meetings, it is, in my opinion, the greatest degree of openness and response.

'Our head is fine with criticism'

How to invite the President to an event and, moreover, make him post a photo on Instagram?

It should be a certainly important and bright event. I know the President's programme, he always accepts invitations to many, especially informal, events connected with the young. If you ask him, he will definitely post you. Beautiful, young and smiling faces is a weighty reason to be on the President's Instagram page. Once my dog appeared there.

I know the President's programme, he always accepts invitations to many, especially informal, events connected with the young. If you ask him, he will definitely post you. Beautiful, young and smiling faces is a weighty reason to be on the President's Instagram page.

Recently a woman heavily criticized the President in Chechnya. Later she was asked to come to him to beg pardon. Do you approve this approach of work with opinions? Is it possible that it happens here?

If it had not happened it, it means, it is impossible. Our head is fine with criticism understanding that it is just an open society where every person has the right to express his or her opinion.

What PR technologies do you use to form the image of the President of the republic? Which of them are the most effective?

Sometimes you don't think about technologies, just work and improvise. And at times, people like what you do.

'We have many mass media, I like them all'

What question would you ask on the hotline with Vladimir Putin?

You know who puts the best questions to Vladimir Putin. We can eat our hearts.

Journalist is means creativity, industry and slovenliness. State worker means constancy, subordination and limitation sometimes.

Do you have any favourite mass media in Tatarstan that you always renew and whose opinion is maybe an orientation for you?

We have many mass media. We read some of them more. But I think if I start to name them… Those that have an e-version, available for reading using my smartphone. I subscribed to them and read. As for the federal mass media, it is Kommersant, Vedomosti.

How do you cope with stress at work?

I had two piano lessons recently. I should say it helps very much. I take photos at times.

What Dmitry Peskov's good qualities would you draw on? Which of them do you like the most?

It is my first speech in front of such a big audience because I've been working since December. I'm thankful for this step. I have a problem since my childhood: I blush in front of an audience. Some people think it is a beauty: this person has a conscience at least. I guess a press secretary is to be open and sincere. I like Peskov's quick reaction, intelligence and a skill to be out of the woods and answer any question. I suppose it is a real art. We look, learn and make a mental note.

Could you characterize a journalist's work using three words? As well as the work of a state worker.

Journalist means creativity, industry and slovenliness. State worker means constancy, subordination and limitation sometimes.

'We just warned now: don't come with your hairy chest, and that's it'

Do you personally recruit people to the team of the press service? What criteria do you use?

Today's team is a team that existed and I worked earlier with. In my point of view, a person is not to have a state worker syndrome, and an opinion that a workday finishes at 18.00 or Sunday is a day off, and no one is going to pay for it – it is the main selection criteria. We won't fit in. This is why think before coming here.

I wish you would find a work that would flare your eyes and you could work 24/7 without days offs and find time for yourself, your interests, family and personal life.

Is it true that salaries in press service are low?

Yes, I earn about 40,000.

What is the most unexpected experience you gained during the work in the press service? Or some new knowledge?

I got a new knowledge about journalists when I started to look at them from another side. New rules of attendance of presidential events by journalists have been criticized recently. Not to wear jeans, to have a clean look. Operators come wearing distressed jeans when a reception is official… I remember yesterday's operator from Moscow: shaved head, a Mohican, everything is distressed, a hairy chest is seen. We just warned now: don't come with your hairy chest, and that's it. It was a discovery for me that we should organize the journalists, to have them on time, make them keep everything in mind and write the truth. What is more, editorials are to be organized. You should care about everybody – it was a discovery for me. But I don't see any problems while working with them. It is just a daily work: you read, you talk to them and try to reassure.

You have mentioned that the work in the state service in Moscow and Tatarstan is different. How do you think, why? Is just a merit of our President or did other factors influence it?

I suppose it is his personal merit. He is very energetic, active and open. When you are in the region, everything is close, you don't imitate any activity – something happens every day, and you need to work and solve these problems. It means that you are close to the ground, to life.

What plans do you have for the future? Do you have any dream? Would you like to try yourself in a new sphere?

To learn to play the piano. The work teaches not to plan.

What is the difference in the work with the President, PM and advisor?

Working with Rustam Minnikhanov – to manage to do everything. Working with Mintimer Shaimiev – we can talk, listen, watch, we just have a great time.

I wish you would find a work that would flare your eyes where you could work 24/7 without days offs and find time for yourself, your interests, family and personal life. Life is but a span. Good luck.