THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
Problems of local publications, innovations of the law On Media, and the results of the work of the Dnipro Journalists’ Solidarity Center (JSC) have been discussed at the board meeting of the Dnipro regional organization (DRO) of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).
“Today, the entire media community of the Dnipropetrovsk Region, our regional NUJU organization, both the administration staff and NUJU members, we all continue to hold the information front, each in own place despite difficulties, challenges, and limited human and financial resources,” said Oleksii Kovalchuk, the Board Chairman of the NUJU DRO.
He expressed regret that not all newspapers of the region, which announced subscriptions for 2023 and were to be published, survived today’s challenging conditions. In total, only nine district media remained.
Oleksii Kovalchuk emphasized that the regional organization is trying to support colleagues in every possible way. In particular, the JSC hosts training events, meetings covering professional topics, discussions of current issues, informal communication, etc. Besides, the NUJU DRO offers information about announcements on new opportunities for the media, grant competitions, mentoring assistance, and legal advice.
According to the NUJU DRO board chairman, the Union promptly informs about its work: materials are published on the website, official Facebook page, Telegram, and Viber.
“We also continue to expand our information capabilities and keep up with the times: we have already created an Instagram account and are shooting videos for a YouTube channel,” added Oleksii Kovalchuk.
About JSC activities
Board meeting participants also summed up the results of the work of the JSC operating on the basis of the NUJU DRO since July 2022. Such an NUJU initiative is designed to help media workers affected by the war.
“At first, it was emergency assistance to colleagues leaving dangerous zones. In particular, it was financial, informational, psychological, consulting, and other support. Today, the Center also supports colleagues to stay in the profession. In addition, thanks to international partners, media workers can apply for technical assistance,” said Nataliya Nazarova, the JSC coordinator.
She noted that in nine months of work, 43 events were held, reaching 776 people.
“Our Center acts as a co-working space. So, one can come here and use this space to work. In case of a blackout, we have an electric current generator and a Starlink station,” she added.
Nataliya Nazarova said that the Center operates a service for free rental of certified military protective equipment, which is used not only by media workers of the region but also by fixers and foreign journalists who go to the front line or closer to the front line through the city of Dnipro. Currently, 17 journalists and four displaced students are under the care of the Dnipro Center, she added.
Oleksii Kovalchuk appealed to the present heads of regional journalistic hubs to monitor the situation in the districts and cities and inform them in a timely manner about colleagues needing help.
“Together, we will involve both the Union and international partners, if possible, local authorities, to help our colleagues survive a difficult situation. Let’s be in solidarity and remember the Union’s slogan, Journalists Are Important!” he emphasized.
Law On Media and Creative Contests
The board meeting also considered the issue of the law On Media. According to the participants, it needs to be amended.
“In March, we organized a meeting of media representatives with a lawyer. Our fellow lawyer/member of the Audit Commission of the Union/head of the Audit Commission of the NUJU regional organization, Serhii Voronskyi, told his colleagues in a very clear and detailed manner how the rules on the media market have changed, explained whether newspapers need ‘repeat registration,’ emphasized essential points for the further work of the media,” stated Oleksii Kovalchuk.
He drew attention to the fact that the NUJU website already has by-laws submitted for public discussion. Oleksii Kovalchuk asked everyone to read them carefully as there is an opportunity to submit their comments.
Call the Dnipro JSC by dialing 096 208 6788 (Nataliya Nazarov, the Dnipro JSC coordinator). The Center’s address is 8 Starokozatska Street.
As earlier reported, 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.
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.
Information service of Dnipro JSC
Photo: Viktoriya Kachanova
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