“A meaningful conversation in the Norwegian Parliament is a powerful reminder of true solidarity,” said Sergiy Tomilenko

During a meeting in Oslo, the President of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament), Masud Gharahkhani, expressed his firm support for the Ukrainian media community to the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), Sergiy Tomilenko, calling the work of journalists from frontline and local publications “impressively courageous.”

Masud Gharahkhani held talks with Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the NUJU, who is in Norway at the invitation of the Norwegian Union of Journalists and the Norwegian Media Business Association.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet with Masud Gharahkhani, the Speaker of the Norwegian Storting — a leader whose openness, humanity, and clear support for Ukraine are immediately felt. My sincere gratitude also goes to Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Buza, who is now safe in Norway and helped organize this important meeting,” said Sergiy Tomilenko.

He was most impressed by the sincerity and depth of Norway’s support for Ukraine. “This is not symbolic assistance — it is a consolidated, cross-party commitment of the entire Storting to Ukraine’s security, stability, and democratic future,” Tomilenko emphasized.

During the meeting, he introduced frontline Ukrainian newspapers — unique local publications that are published under constant threats from drones and missiles. They are often the only media outlets still operating in frontline communities without electricity or the internet. These journalists inform their communities even at times when information becomes a matter of survival.

Sergiy Tomilenko also described today’s realities for Ukrainian media:

• Twenty-eight journalists remain in russian captivity, held simply for telling the truth.
• One hundred thirty-eight media workers have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion.
• Drones have become a major threat, deliberately targeting journalists on the front lines.
• russia continues to strike civilian and media infrastructure across Ukraine.

Mr. Gharahkhani expressed his strong support for freedom of speech and independent media in Ukraine and strongly condemned russia’s persecution of journalists.

Sergiy Tomilenko presented the nationwide network of the NUJU Journalists’ Solidarity Centers (JSC) – safe working spaces run by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, which provide protection, emergency assistance, training, and psychological support to hundreds of journalists.

The NUJU President also highlighted the long-standing partnership and friendship with his Norwegian colleagues – the Norwegian Union of Journalists, led by Dag Idar Tryggestad, and the Norwegian Media Business Association, led by Randi S. Øgrey.

“Their support is not only professional — it is deeply human. My colleagues in Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and other regions constantly feel the value of this solidarity, which helps them stay safe, continue their reporting work, and stay connected to the global journalistic community,” emphasizes Sergiy Tomilenko. “Their long-term cooperation strengthens Ukraine’s media resilience and reflects our shared commitment to protecting journalists and preserving press freedom — even under fire.”

Tomilenko emphasized that Norway has become a moral beacon for Ukraine’s media community. By supporting Ukrainian journalists today, Norway helps protect freedom of speech in Europe tomorrow.

In turn, the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament expressed deep concern over the detention of Ukrainian journalists in russian captivity and drone attacks on civilians, calling such actions “absolutely unacceptable.”

Despite the constant risks, Ukrainian journalists continue to work on the front lines and provide the country with independent information — and, as Masud Gharahkhani emphasized, Norway “will fully support this work.”

NUJU Information Service