Russian veteran journalist, news presenter, TV producer and author of many popular documentary TV shows. Parfyonov is best known for his studio work and productions for the NTV (of which he was Producer General between 1997 and 1999) until that TV channel was subdued by the government-owned Gazprom Media. From December 3, 2004 until December 20, 2007 he was an Editor-in-Chief of Russky Newsweek, Russian edition of Newsweek. Parfyonov is currently a member of Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.

As the author and narrator of the daily culture news TV show Namedni on NTV, Parfyonov produced the line of popular history TV documentaries which he narrated and hosted on-site of almost each event portrayed. The series achieved great success and were repeatedly broadcast for years after premiere.