On February 14, representatives of the media industry, charities and the Association of Communication Agencies of Russia (AKAR) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the aim of preventing fraudulent fundraising through charity advertising. Gazprom-Media Holding also signed the document.
The memorandum was the initiative of the Civic Chamber’s coordination council on charity advertising and charity communications. The expertise and practices of the largest broadcasters, including Gazprom-Media Holding, were taken into account when drafting the document.
The main aim of the document is to prevent fraudulent fundraising on behalf of so-called charities through the use of information materials and advertising. The memorandum will also help to minimise the reputational risks for genuine charities and broadcasters. The memorandum includes a list of practical recommendations for working with nonprofit organizations, such as a list of documents that are necessary to verify information about an advertiser who places ads about charity fundraising.