“Ukrainian media are fighting for their lives,” – Danske Medier

Local journalists in Ukraine are risking their lives to deliver news to their readers in the frontline zone. At the same time, the country’s media are fighting for survival in the war. Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), visited Copenhagen and spoke about the importance of continued international support, according to the website of Danske Medier, an association of media organizations in Denmark.

Almost four years have passed since russia began its invasion of Ukraine. The protracted war has dealt a heavy blow to the Ukrainian media landscape, especially in the frontline areas near the russian border. Independent journalism exists here in extremely difficult conditions. But the economic consequences of the war have hit the entire Ukrainian media industry. Since the beginning of the invasion, approximately 40% of Ukrainian media outlets have ceased operations, and many independent TV and radio companies, in particular, have been forced to shut down.

Sergiy Tomilenko has recently visited Copenhagen and met with the media association Danske Medier, which, together with several other European media organizations, founded the Ukrainian Media Fund. The Fund, established at the beginning of the war, has been working to raise funds and provide financial support to local news media in Ukraine.

“We call on both our government and international partners to do more to support Ukraine’s independent media landscape. While much attention is focused on large TV channels, many local and regional media outlets are struggling with economic instability; however, they are the ones who deliver reliable information to local communities under very difficult conditions. Therefore, international support for independent local media is crucial. Many media outlets, especially those close to the front, are trying to adapt by developing digital channels and utilizing social networks. Development is happening very quickly, and some of those who are driving it forward are the media on the front lines. Simply because they have lost everything and are trying to survive in the conditions they find themselves in. Especially with the help of international initiatives that provide them with resources and support,” says Sergiy Tomilenko.

Journalism in bulletproof vests

One of the main priorities for him and the NUJU is to support newspapers in the frontline zone. After the invasion, numerous new media outlets emerged, but not all of them are equally professional or adhere to journalistic standards. Therefore, it is necessary to support already established and reputable local media brands that people know and trust, but which are in a difficult financial situation and work at great risk.

“This year, I visited Orikhiv, a small town in the Zaporizhzhia Region just five kilometers from the front, where 12,000 people lived before the invasion. Now, there are only 800 left, and these are mostly elderly people who, despite the daily shelling, do not want to leave the city, because they have lived there all their lives. We are trying to support the editor of a local newspaper, who personally visits shops in the area wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest to deliver the newspaper. It is very dangerous for her, but for the people in the area, it is extremely important, because this is their only source of information,” says Sergiy Tomilenko.

Support matters

The safety of journalists is a crucial aspect of the contribution that the Ukrainian Media Fund has made since its establishment in 2022. In the first months after the invasion, there was a particular need for bulletproof vests and other basic safety equipment for journalists. Over time, funds began to be directed to support local and regional independent media.

“We really appreciate the support. We receive not only financial resources, but also technical assistance, and we are very grateful for this summer’s donation of portable charging stations. In the fall, russia stepped up its attacks on infrastructure and the power grid, and now I receive many messages from colleagues about how these charging stations have allowed them to continue working,” says the NUJU President. He also notes that support plays a psychological role.

“It is important for us to feel that we are not alone. To feel the support of our international friends. Just like the general population, journalists are exhausted by this war. Therefore, we appreciate all the support we receive. It helps to keep morale up.”

About the Ukrainian Media Fund

The Ukrainian Media Fund was established by the organizations Mediebedriftene (Norway), Tidningsutgivarna (Sweden), Finnmedia (Finland), Danske Medier (Denmark), the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation, and the Swedish company Bonnier News immediately after the start of the war in February 2022 with the aim of supporting Ukrainian media with editorial and protective equipment, as well as supporting the functioning and development of Ukrainian media during the war.