Lviv JSC provides bulletproof vests to Channel 24 journalists

During wartime, Ukrainian journalists constantly travel to the front to cover events and stories of the military and show the world the realities. On such trips, it is extremely important to take care of the team’s protection so as not to expose themselves to danger. The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers (JSC) of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) actively help with this, as they can provide bulletproof vests, helmets, and first aid kits. All of these items must be available to journalists preparing for a trip to the front line. This is how the Channel 24 team recently used the protective equipment.

The journalists planned a trip to the state border in the Sumy Region. They received the required accreditation but did not have the necessary equipment, so they turned to the Lviv office of the Unified Western Ukrainian JSC of the NUJU. Its coordinator, Nataliya Voitovych, provided the journalists with the necessary equipment.

The NUJU is making efforts to help journalists make their business trips as safe as possible. Together with UNESCO and Reporters Without Borders, a Safety Guide for Journalists was created, where you can familiarize yourself with the basic rules for preparing for a trip, documents on press freedom, risk assessments, and tips on digital security.

“The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers are always ready to provide journalists with protective equipment. We realize how important it is because safety should be above all else. Journalists can contact us at any time convenient for them. We will always come to their aid and provide bulletproof vests. We issue not only bulletproof vests and helmets but also first-aid kits that may come in handy. In addition, the center always makes sure that journalists undergo pre-medical training and go to the front line prepared,” noted Nataliya Voitovych.

Protective equipment can save your life. If necessary, contact the JSCs and receive a free bulletproof vest with a PRESS sticker, consisting of certified 4^th class protection plates, a helmet, and a first aid kit to quickly provide medical assistance.

Call the Unified Western Ukrainian JSC at 097 907 9702 (Nataliya Voitovych, the coordinator of the Lviv center, and Volodymyr Bober – assistant). The Center is located at 5 Solomiyi Krushelnytskoyi Street.

ABOUT JSC

The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers is an initiative of the NUJU implemented with the support of the International and European Federations of Journalists and UNESCO. The initiative is designated to help media representatives working in Ukraine during the war. The Centers operate in Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro and provide journalists with organizational, technical, legal, psychological, and other types of assistance.

ABOUT UNESCO

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding. It is the coordinator of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, thus strengthening peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide. UNESCO is working closely with its partner organizations in Ukraine to provide support to journalists on the ground.

The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this digest do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this digest and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit to the organization.

Dariya Markova