“Local media are important because they are closest to people” – Tamara Prykhodko, editor-in-chief of NTK TV and radio company and Siaivo radio

The Siaivo radio is one of 168 local media registered in the Ivano-Frankivsk Region. In 2002, a creative group of like-minded people in a small studio on Sichovykh Striltsiv Street in Kolomyia created an original project for a regional radio station, which later became popular in the Carpathian region. Initially, Siaivo broadcast on only one frequency; today, using an analog receiver, you can listen to the radio on five waves – 106.8 FM, 106.7 FM, 102.8 FM, 100.7 FM, and 89.6 FM – in the territory of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region, the potential audience is 500,000 listeners.

From news to original projects

From the beginning of its broadcast, the Siaivo radio broadcasted local news, several original projects, and music. Later, live programs began to appear with the participation of listeners who actively called the studio. Today, the radio station has 24-hour broadcasting, which is conducted exclusively in Ukrainian. Most programs are broadcast live from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The most important of them is news. Every hour, listeners learn about local, national, and world events. Morning Coffee on the Siaivo radio is the first step into a new day: there are greetings, raffles, various interactive activities, and melodies that give energy and inspiration.

Incredible Ukraine is a program about Ukraine and Ukrainians: tourist highlights, historical dates, and achievements of Ukrainians. Mova is daily express Ukrainian language lessons on the Siaivo radio. Eight times a day, listeners have a chance to get information that will help them speak the nightingale with quality. Exclusive news about music and its authors can be heard on the air of the program Tabloid. The favorite show of regular listeners of Siaivo is Intellectual Casino, which has been on the radio since 2003. Its author and host, Viktor Povoroznyk, draws prizes, and for correct answers, listeners receive gifts. The radio program includes an interesting and informative program, “Great Ukrainians,” which talks about history, outstanding domestic scientists, inventors, creators, and heroes who are a symbol of the Ukrainian nation. In total, more than 20 different radio projects fill the content of Siaivo.

Interactive programs of radio Siaivo not only give a voice to listeners but also give them the opportunity to find their own piece of the radio world, to find resonance with their own interests.

Over the past two decades, the Siaivo radio has become even more accessible to its listeners. Today, the radio station can be heard live online on the updated official website or using the bestradio.fm radio service or for free by installing the Online Radio Box application on your smartphone.

The Siaivo radio in the conditions of a full-scale war

The full-scale war made its own adjustments to the work of the Siaivo radio, as well as other media. It had to face new challenges and problems and look for ways to solve them. First of all, in the first days of the full-scale invasion, radio hosts reorganized their work. The broadcasts were conducted around the clock, 24/7. They constantly reported breaking news. As editor-in-chief Tamara Prykhodko said, the first months of a full-scale war were a serious test for the media team.

“Our radio hosts of linear broadcast programs from the first days of the full-scale invasion worked almost around the clock in the studio, practically living in the radio room. It was their personal decision, civic position, and desire to somehow help people in a critical situation. After all, at first, nothing was set up. There were no mobile applications Air Alert, for example. So, the air alert signal was transmitted only by the local notification system. Also, in parallel, local authorities informed the studio by telephone about the declared alarm or its cancellation, and we immediately broadcast these messages on the air. Our listeners constantly needed new information. The Siaivo radio was then one of the first sources of air alert notifications and, for many citizens, the only available information resource,” Viktor Povoroznyk, recalling the events of February 24, 2022, said that, like most of his colleagues, he had no experience working in crisis situations, so it was not easy.

Devotion to the profession and love for the audience played an important role. Viktor understood that without news, people would not be able to live fully, work, or make important decisions. From that ill-fated day of February 24 until the end of March, the journalist practically lived in the studio because it was necessary to constantly inform listeners about what was happening in the country and the region in particular. He recorded the danger announcement “Attention! Air raid alert!” in his own voice and, whenever necessary, included this message on the radio and posted it on the radio station’s social media pages.

“Our profession is needed, especially now, because in conditions of war, people would not be able to do without news,” Viktor claims. “One day, it was at the beginning of a full-scale invasion, when we went on air from a shelter, I saw an elderly resident of Kolomyia go down to the basement during the “Alarm!” signal and, in addition to suitcases, in her hands was a small radio. I understood – our Siaivo radio is listened to, and we are trusted. In times of war, radio becomes a source not only of information but also of moral support.”

Working in a blackout

The current energy crisis for the media is a serious challenge. The Siaivo radio had had some experience working in a blackout since the fall of 2022 when the occupiers purposefully massively shelled the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The management of the TV and radio company NTK and the radio studio Siaivo took care of the continuous operation of the media. In the building where the TV studio and radio station are located, there is a diesel generator and other means with autonomous power sources, which provide daily 24-hour broadcasts. There are also 13 kW generators that provide constant power supply in the media premises and the operation of the television tower. To ensure that all technical equipment works flawlessly, there are two backup power supplies: one works constantly, and the second is automatically turned on when necessary.

In addition to a number of technical and organizational aspects of ensuring the operation of the Siaivo radio in crisis conditions, the editorial team has made changes to the content of the media. From the first days of the full-scale war to the present, entertainment projects have not been broadcast on the airwaves of the Siaivo radio. As for the musical content, for the third year in a row, songs from the genre of cheerful dance compositions, in particular, in the style of “hop-tsa-tsa,” have not been heard on the airwaves. Modern and melodiously sustained Ukrainian music is mainly heard. The most airtime is devoted to news releases. Many different topics have appeared: news from the front; the security situation in the region; interviews with our defenders; and assistance to families of IDPs who temporarily settled in the Kolomyia region. There are also new sections – consultations and advice from specialists. Lawyers and psychologists are invited to participate in radio programs, which provide listeners with professional advice and recommendations. Also, information about charity events, collections for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, etc. is constantly heard on the wave of Siaivo.

How to overcome difficulties and stay in the profession during the war – practical advice from the host of radio programs of the Siaivo radio Viktor Povoroznyk:

• you should always have prepared materials in case of unforeseen situations. These can be recorded programs, interviews, or music playlists. If the connection is lost or technical problems arise, these reserves will allow you to continue the broadcast without pauses;
• you should take care of alternative power sources for your equipment in advance in case of a blackout: power banks, generators, or batteries will come in handy – this will ensure uninterrupted operation of the equipment and the ability to stay on the air;
• you need to take care of several options for Internet connection. Use mobile communication, satellite Internet, or other available options. It is important to check their reliability before each broadcast to avoid sudden disconnections;
• do not forget about communicating with the audience via social networks or other online platforms. Listeners’ feedback will help you better understand their expectations and adapt your content to their needs, especially in difficult times;
• be confident and responsible in your words. Your professionalism will help listeners feel stable and trust you even in the most difficult times.

Local media are important

Radio, as a media company, gained popularity at the beginning of the 20^th century. For an ordinary user, it is the most accessible and operational source of information, especially for residents of rural areas or remote mountain settlements. Thanks to the radio, a person can listen to important news, useful information, advice, warnings, and good music everywhere: at home, while driving, while traveling, or even in the shelter, as during the period of martial law in our country.

“Our the Siaivo radio plays an important role in the life of the community because it is always closest to the people. For example, the problems of an ordinary Kolomyia resident, a resident of Sniatyn, or a resident of Kosiv will not concern the capital’s media. Unless, of course, the problem is global. We, local media workers, live the life of the community every day. We let everything that happens to us through ourselves; we overcome various troubles together, and we rejoice in our achievements. In times of crisis, local media can be considered an information savior. Therefore, it is important to preserve them,” notes Tamara Prykhodko.

Call the Ivano-Frankivsk JSC at 066 677 0726 (Viktoriya Plakhta, the coordinator of the Ivano-Frankivsk Center). The Center’s address is 25 Sichovykh Striltsiv Street.

About JSC

The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers are an initiative of the NUJU implemented with the support of the International and European Federations of Journalists, as well as UNESCO. The initiative is designed to help media representatives working in Ukraine during the war. The JSCs 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 the Organization.

Bohdana Zasidko

Ivano-Frankivsk Journalists’ Solidarity Center