Journalism, as a type of commercial activity, is called the fourth estate in civilized countries. It is no secret that many standards and regulations in force in European countries are completely unsuitable for use in the Russian information field. However, brave knights are in the legion of domestic workers of the pen and microphone. Among them, without any doubt, is Alexander Minkin.
A distant start
Currently, journalists working in print media are acquiring blogs on the Internet. This is not a tribute to fashion, but a way to attract readers to your publications. For the same purposes, shocking and profanity are used. When you have to cover the life of a famous person, it is more convenient to start with a biography. Alexander Viktorovich Minkin was born into a Jewish family on August 26, 1946. Place of birth - the city of Moscow. There is every reason to believe that the boy's childhood was not cloudless.
At school, Sasha Minkin could have studied better. He tries not to bring this period of his life to a wide discussion. Although some of his peers, in order to give their own persona the missing color, in place and out of place remember their "hooligan" childhood. Yes, the situation in the capital a few years after the war remained very, very difficult. And even elementary heavy. To remain in human form, the kid had to be not only physically strong, but also mentally strong.
Of course, yard childhood contributed to the formation of personal qualities. Minkin grew up not stupid and with a strong character. Precisely with a firm, since flexibility in the profession and personal life he always lacked. Although he is no stranger to light coquetry. At the right moment, he skillfully injected "compromising evidence" on himself, dropping the phrase that "I somehow graduated from school." Stupid fellows in the pen do not get tired of sucking on this confession, presenting a colleague as a kind of stupid graphomaniac. Reference: Alexander Minkin is fluent in German and French.
The now famous journalist began an independent life without a clear plan. He worked for several years at an industrial enterprise. At the end of the 60s, the achievements of scientific and technological progress were successfully introduced into production. A young worker was serving a plant for the production of edible protein from carbon raw materials. Then there were threatening rumors around the country that margarine was made from oil. Minkin quit this job and went to build the Ostankino TV tower. Once accidentally looked into the editorial office of the newspaper "Moskovsky Komsomolets".
Problems at the tip of the pen
Astrologers and psychologists argue that there are no accidents in a person's life. Alexander, since adolescence, got the taste of working with words. He wrote poetry, short stories and even novels. He took part in various events where aspiring and venerable writers presented their works. In 1978, Minkin was admitted to the "MK" staff. From that moment on, his professional career as a journalist begins. But as it began, it could have ended. Literally a year later, he left the editorial office.
Proving something to someone, he entered GITIS. In 1984 he received a diploma of higher education with a degree in theater criticism. Reviews and reviews written by him were willingly published in various publications, but it was impossible even to eat well with the fees received. But in winter it is cold in Moscow, you can't do without a coat and a hat. Comrade Minkin joined the dissidents for a while. He wrote strictly to order and only under a pseudonym. Of course, the talented and hard-working journalist was noticed and invited to the Moscow News weekly.
In the new position of the observer, no one regulated, but they set one mandatory condition - not to touch on political topics. For some time, Alexander took his heart out, covering materials on the news of cinema, theatrical life, telling about artists and musicians on his page under the heading "Afisha". In 1990 he became a columnist for Ogonyok magazine. By this time, protest moods were already roaming the country. According to the apt remark of one critic, Minkin put aside creativity and entered the path of struggle.
Feeling only the smell of freedom, the cunning journalists broke loose from their chains, revealing the accumulated problems and ulcers of socialism. Alexander Minkin did not study the basics of theatrical performances in vain. He turned out to be head and shoulders above all the writing fraternity, having published a well-structured article "Khlopkorab" in Ogonyok. The publication was about attracting children to work in cotton picking in Uzbekistan. Today we can say that the author is somewhat carried away by accusatory rhetoric. However, at that moment there was no denial from the interested parties.
Corruption letters
In 1992, Alexander Minkin was again invited to the "Moskovsky Komsomolets". By this time, the Soviet Union has already been destroyed and, it would seem, one can experience a feeling of complete and deep satisfaction. However, the astute journalist sees all the hypocrisy and cynicism of the people who have come to reform the country. In one of the conversations with a colleague in the shop, Minkin called the President of the Russian Federation “the Ural Gauleiter”. The main idea is that the former secretary of the regional committee cannot serve as a conduit for democracy. An avalanche of indignation, abuse and criticism from all flanks splashes on him.
The journalist does not hesitate to engage in a fight with the special services, openly disclosing the corrupt ties of security officials and businessmen. He does not hesitate to cooperate with the authorities when it is useful for society. Minkin starts a special heading in the MK newspaper - “Letters to the President”. This section publishes materials on corruption, nepotism, bribery and other acute problems of our time. A popular journalist publishes transcripts of telephone conversations with senior officials. Publishes without comments, giving readers the opportunity to evaluate what is happening themselves.
It should be noted that opponents and adversaries do not remain in debt. In various publications, large and small articles appear with enviable regularity, attacking Minkin. I must say that Alexander himself is exposed to the blow. His personal life is not very smooth. He lives in a third marriage. Husband and wife do not advertise their everyday joys or troubles. Once a problem arose with Minkin's son. The journalist was seriously, as they say, “run over”. So far, everything worked out. Time will tell what will happen next.
