“Norway is deeply immersed in the Ukrainian context,” NUJU meets with representatives of Norwegian Foreign Ministry

Representatives of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Sigbjørn Drevdalen Litland, Deputy Director of the Eastern European Affairs Department, and Karl Gullik Nakken, Second Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy — visited the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

During the meeting, First Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), Lina Kushch, spoke about the work of NUJU’s Journalists’ Solidarity Centers (JSC), the working conditions of Ukrainian journalists, especially on the front lines, the situation of the local press, as well as the issue of covering the topic of imprisoned journalists and ways of conveying information to an international audience.

“Representatives of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and the Norwegian Embassy were interested in many aspects: how journalists work on the front line, how the local press functions, how Ukrainian society reacts to anti-corruption scandals, as well as how information about captured journalists and civilians can be conveyed to an international audience,” noted Ms. Kushch. “Norway really provides us with significant support. It is important that representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have first-hand information and can rely on it in making decisions on supporting Ukraine.”

The journalists shared their vision of working in frontline regions. Executive Director of the Ukrainian Press Academy, Andrii Kovalenko, noted:

“Regarding drones, the security situation is changing very quickly. Previously, the affected area was significantly smaller; now it spans approximately 20–30 kilometers. Technologies have become increasingly modern: drones that could fly 5 km six months ago can now reach distances of 15–20 km or more. In such conditions, you have to adapt, as there is practically no safe place to be. Even in Kramatorsk, about 20 km from the front line, journalists are at risk.”

“We continue to work because journalists who remain in the profession and cover the war need constant support,” added Lina Kushch.

JSCs continue to operate in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, and other regions, supporting not only Ukrainian but also foreign journalists who deem it essential to cover the war and highlight the importance of humanitarian missions.

“The solidarity of international colleagues is what allows us to continue our work every day,” summed up Ms. Lina Kushch.

Yuliya Turovets

NUJU Information Service