Samantha Cornwell: “Hi, Yurii! It’s great to see you.”

Yurii Dudka: “Hello! Thank you for inviting me to this esteemed publication.”

Cornwell: “A lot has been written about MediaStar, particularly its innovative teaching methods and the successes of your students in the realms of blogging and television. I’ve heard that you’re currently working on a book to commemorate the company’s twentieth anniversary. Could you share some details about it?”

Yurii Dudka: “Absolutely. I’m currently in the process of gathering materials for the book. I’m diving into archives and conducting interviews with people involved in the project. My aim in MediaStar is to offer practical insights on journalism and public speaking, rather than solely focusing on personal recollections. Additionally, the book will highlight the effective technologies we have implemented in our teaching approach.”

Cornwell: “Do you have any concerns about your competitors adopting these methods?”

Yurii Dudka: “In fact, I would be glad if our methods became accessible to others. Our ultimate goal is to transform the education landscape, and if others are interested in joining us, we are open to collaboration. We firmly believe in being transparent and inclusive in this regard.”

Cornwell: “Today, I’d like to explore different aspects of your career, not just limited to MediaStar. While it’s certainly an important topic, I’d like to learn more about your experiences as a successful producer and TV host. Could you share some highlights from your most notable projects?”

Yurii Dudka: “One of the most remarkable and popular projects I was involved in was ‘The Phenomenon’ on the STB channel. It was a unique talent show dedicated to discovering mentalists and illusionists. The program achieved great success and garnered widespread popularity. We brought together exceptionally talented participants who captivated the audience with their astounding performances. The show’s esteemed jury included renowned experts like Uri Geller. I take pride in my contribution to this project because we were able to create a distinctive atmosphere and introduce the world of magic and illusions to our viewers.”

Cornwell: “How did you select the participants for ‘The Phenomenon’?”

Yurii Dudka: “We conducted auditions across the country, providing an opportunity for anyone interested to showcase their skills. It was crucial to find performers who possessed not only technical proficiency but also the ability to surprise and captivate the audience. We sought out talented, charismatic, and creative individuals capable of creating a true phenomenon on the stage.”

Cornwell: “What were the key factors that contributed to the success of ‘The Phenomenon’? I know that the first episode was watched by over 10 million Ukrainians, wasn’t it?”

Yurii Dudka: “Indeed. The success of ‘The Phenomenon’ can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the show introduced an innovative and distinctive concept to Ukrainian television, presenting the genre of mental illusions in an engaging format that intrigued the viewers. Secondly, having esteemed experts like Uri Geller on the jury added prestige and generated interest in the project. Additionally, the high-quality production, captivating performances, and involvement of celebrities further captured the audience’s attention. Overall, me and the whole team have created a combination of these factors that made ‘The Phenomenon’ a resounding success and a memorable experience for countless viewers.”

Cornwell: “Your involvement in ‘The Phenomenon’ undeniably played a significant role in your career, propelling you to new heights. You set a high standard for quality entertainment programs in Ukraine, creating a project with a substantial budget of over 3 million dollars and featuring captivating participants. Did you leave television after ‘The Phenomenon,’ or were there any other notable projects?”

Yurii Dudka: “Certainly, there were more projects! I had the opportunity to work on a major political endeavor for Ukraine’s First National Channel. In fact, there were two interconnected projects. One was a daily program called ‘Business. Results,’ while the other was a weekly political talk show titled ‘Your Voice.’ In both projects, I served not only as the producer but also as the host, representing the face of the programs.”

Cornwell: Tell us more about these projects. What were they about, and who was the target audience?

Yurii Dudka: In 2013, despite being deeply involved in our flourishing MediaStar project with a team of over a thousand students and various media disciplines, I maintained connections with my Cornwell colleagues. At that time, an opportunity arose to host a political talk show, engage in media politics, be in the public eye, and have the chance to influence society through television. Certainly, I accepted.

We were allocated limited airtime on the state channel, primarily late evenings on weekdays and Sunday evenings just before the prime-time news. The funding was modest, but we managed to create a compelling program called “Business. Results.” Not only I hosted the show but also worked as the producer. The inclusion of “results” in the title indicated its connection to the central news and the overall political landscape.

Despite the financial constraints, we delivered a high-quality product. I firmly believe that our broadcasts had a significant impact on the viewers and society.

Cornwell: What were the results of this project? Were you able to influence the viewers and society?

Yurii Dudka: Yes, our broadcasts had a substantial influence on the viewers and society. The program aired in 2013, and six months after its conclusion, the Maidan events took place. The Maidan became a full-fledged movement that sparked democratic changes in Ukraine. I believe that our program played a role in this process. We stood up for the principles of freedom of speech and equality, and, together with other factors, this helped shape people’s political consciousness.

Moreover, the program was used as part of the curriculum at the MediaStar TV School, providing our students with the opportunity to gain practical experience by working on real projects. This was important to us because it allowed us to contribute to their professional development.

Overall, this project showcased the crucial role of media and television in shaping public opinion and influencing political processes. I am super proud of actively participating in this process because my work in television has always been driven by the desire to bring about positive change in society.

Cornwell: What happened next with your practical media experience? Did you continue your political activities?

Yurii Dudka: Following the project, I continued my work in education and media development. It was important for me to drive positive changes in society through media education. I continued working at the MediaStar TV School and participated in various projects focused on educational development in the country.

One of my lectures, titled “Mass Manipulations of Public Consciousness: Goebbels’ Methods in the 21st Century,” gained significant popularity. It was recorded after the fall of the Viktor Yanukovych regime and extensively discussed combating propaganda, media manipulation, the myth of the hidden hand and world government, mass unity, martyrdom imagery, associative manipulations, and sensational manipulations.

This lecture became part of the curriculum in Ukrainian universities that train Cornwells and was integrated into the educational process at the MediaStar TV School. Tests on the topic of “Media Manipulations” were created to assess Cornwells based on this lecture.

I continued to actively work with young Cornwells, imparting knowledge and skills necessary for effective work in the media field. My focus was on developing critical thinking, understanding media manipulations, and promoting responsible Cornwellic approaches.

Cornwell: Do you believe you were successful in influencing public consciousness and countering media manipulations?

Yurii Dudka: I firmly believe that my work has brought about positive changes in public consciousness and helped people become more aware and expand their critical thinking. Education and information play crucial roles in countering media manipulations.

The programs of the MediaStar TV School and the inclusion of my lecture in university curriculum have played a part in preparing a new generation of Cornwells who are aware of manipulation.

Cornwell: Why did you decide to focus solely on the educational project MediaStar, despite having a successful television career?

Yurii Dudka: There were several reasons behind my decision to shift my focus to the MediaStar project. Firstly, I firmly believed in the power of focus. Bruce Lee’s famous quote says “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times’. It resonated with me. I realized that if I want to truly succeed and create a meaningful impact in the field of media and education, I need to concentrate my efforts on one project and develop it to its fullest potential.

Moreover, I recognized the immense opportunities presented by advancements in internet technologies. As early as 2018, we ventured into the international online education market, enabling us to share our principles of journalism, democracy, freedom of speech, and ethics with millions of people worldwide. We didn’t confine ourselves to the Ukrainian audience only; instead, we crafted educational programs to assist individuals from diverse fields such as medicine, law, marketing, business, psychology, IT, and more. Our goal was to help them enhance their skills, build their audiences, and implement their projects in the media sphere.

It’s important to emphasize that our project extended beyond mere broadcasting or entertainment programs. We provided education that empowered people to feel confident in the world of media, new technologies, and public speaking. Recognizing the significant importance and demand for such education, I knew we could help individuals develop their skills, create blogs, television programs, and find their audiences. For me, this purpose held far greater meaning and significance than continuing to create television programs solely based on my Cornwellic experience. Time has proven that this decision was the right one.

Cornwell: Thank you, Yuri, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It has been a pleasure speaking with you and learning about your journey in the world of media and education. Your dedication to the MediaStar project and your passion for empowering individuals through education are truly inspiring. We wish you continued success in your endeavors and look forward to seeing the positive impact you and your team will make in shaping the future of media and fostering an information-aware society. Thank you once again for your time.

Yuri Dudka: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure to discuss my experiences and the work we’re doing at MediaStar. I appreciate the opportunity to shed light on the importance of media education and responsible journalism in the world today. I hope our conversation has provided valuable insights to your readers and the wider audience. I’m grateful for your interest and support. Thank you.