Support during power outages: how Lviv journalists work at JSC

Last week’s long power outages in Lviv became a challenge for journalists working amidst the whirlwind of constant deadlines. How to manage to submit material when there is no electricity or internet for several hours was a concern for everyone. In such conditions, productive work becomes almost impossible. However, it is possible to continue the work process in equipped coworking spaces at the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers (JSC) of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).

In particular, many Lviv media workers came to the JSC at the beginning of active power outages to charge their equipment and work with high-speed internet. At 5 Solomiyi Krushelnytskoyi Street in Lviv, every journalist has the opportunity to work fully. There is always light and communication, a comfortable place, and hot tea.

At the moment, the Lviv JSC has become a place that allows media workers to work in difficult conditions in a comfortable environment among colleagues. The location in the JSC is convenient for anyone, so in case of a sudden blackout, you can use the coworking space.

“For a journalist, it is a real challenge to work when there is no Internet or a discharged laptop. In the absence of such basic conditions, it is impossible to write news quickly, but in Lviv, the JSC really saves me. There is always light, Internet, as well as a comfortable space for media workers to work. Here you can quickly recharge, work, and chat. The coordinator of the JSC, Ms. Natalia, will be happy to make tea and help you get oriented, — says journalist of “24 Channel” Vlada Ponomareva.

Despite the difficult period for the state, journalists remain the voice of society and promptly inform about events. According to the coordinator of the Lviv JSC, Natalia Voytovych, media workers must have a place where they can quickly write material, having the necessary conditions.

“Currently, Lviv often has power outages; sometimes there is no electricity for half a day, and in the work of a journalist, it is extremely important to have stable internet and the ability to charge gadgets. At such moments, you especially understand how critical the availability of a safe and equipped workspace is. Recently, the JSC in Lviv has been helping me out, where I come to work when there is no electricity at home. There is always light, reliable internet, and all the necessary conditions for full-fledged work. In addition to technical amenities, it is also important that the JSC has an atmosphere of support and mutual understanding. When colleagues from other media work nearby, there is a sense of community and professional unity, which is sometimes so lacking. Nataliya Voitovych always greets me with sincere attention, helps with organizational issues, and supports my work,” notes Polina Khmil, the editor of Antikor social networks. Thanks to such a space, Lviv media workers can continue to work even during power outages.

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The network of Journalists’ Solidarity JSCs is an initiative of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, implemented in collaboration with the International and European Federations of Journalists and UNESCO, and with the support of the People of Japan. Our primary goal is to assist media professionals working in Ukraine during the war. The JSCs are active in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The project is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the Safety of Journalists and Freedom of Expression in Ukraine.

Contact the Unified Western Ukrainian JSC Lviv-Chernivtsi at 097 907 9702 (Nataliya Voitovych, the coordinator of the Lviv JSC, Volodymyr Bober – assistant). The JSC’s address is 5 Solomiyi Krushelnytskoyi Street.

Dariya Markova