THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
A number of media outlets in the media space of the Nikopol Community are holding firm and continue to inform the population. This is radio Nostalzhi 102.4 FM, whose broadcasting range is seventy kilometers, and the waves reach the settlements of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Regions. The Pivdenna Zoria regional newspaper (editor Inna Shvydka) is published, and the Syla newspaper (editor Oleksandr Rezun) continues to be popular, which has switched to the format of social networks. Other media outlets, unfortunately, have stopped working for various reasons.
The enemy strikes daily destroy Nikopol’s industrial sites, causing pain and suffering to civilians. The worst thing is when they take their lives. Now, Nikopol is called a hostage of a once successful and promising location. Nearby are the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the city of Enerhodar, and the enemy who have their positions there… russian troops are deployed 4-6 kilometers from the city. Their drones do not give rest either day or night; explosions are constantly rolling, and artillery is also almost silent. But even in moments of calm and during threats, the voice of Nikopol is heard – radio Nostalzhi 102.4 FM, telling about the reality of life events in the community and Ukraine.
The work of journalists in Nikopol – constant challenges
Journalists cover important topics: the work of utility workers, similar to daily heroism; volunteer initiatives; the activities of local authorities; the experience of Nikopol educators; the restoration of homes damaged by the enemy; and much more. The Ukrainian word testifies to the resilience of the media, proving that despite the danger, the city lives, works, and even receives guests. This was emphasized in a conversation with a journalist from the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) information service / head of the Nikopol regional journalism center, Yuliya Bilyk.
“The work of journalists in Nikopol is a constant challenge and a daily struggle,” says Yuliya Bilyk. “Despite the shelling and the fear that invades the soul, the voice of Nostalzhi continues to sound. And this is impressive. Explosions, power outages, and even threats to life do not stop the radio company’s staff. The war affects the health of media workers. But they are next to people. When air raid sirens sound, the radio continues to work. At such moments, communication with listeners becomes especially important. More than once, I had to hear that when there is whistling and buzzing overhead, people continue to listen to the radio in order to distract themselves and feel at least some peace of mind.”
“The most destroyed place in our country was the so-called old town, many buildings which are dated previous century, they are architectural and historical monuments, located on the shore of the former reservoir. The residents of the private sector predominated there,” Yuliya Bilyk reveals the details of local life.
“At present, there are practically no people left in the old town; the houses are destroyed. A local blogger / member of the NUJU, Viktor Artemenko, did not leave his home for a long time. His house was damaged by a direct hit from an enemy shell, and the Union came to his aid during the repair work. But over time, Viktor had to look for another place to live. He continues his work and posts positive videos about the life of Nikopol residents on social networks.
There are also animals left in the old part of Nikopol, which the owners could not take with them. But even under shelling, people often visit there to feed their own and other people’s four-legged friends. Journalists tell all this. They show the humanity and strength of spirit of Ukrainians during the war.
Radio Nostalzhi 102.4 FM is also listened to in temporarily occupied territories
“Of course, not everyone can withstand life under shelling,” said the director of the radio company Nostalzhi 102.4 FM Valerii Tereshchenko. “Many residents left. The only thing that changed in the work of the radio was that the Nikopol media workers completely refused entertainment programs. Everything else is the same as it was before the war. They have financial problems – advertising revenues have decreased by 40% due to the closure of enterprises and firms in the community. The funds for the performance of advertising and information services go to pay salaries, taxes, electricity, and repairs to the premises after each shelling.”
The radio company building was subjected to heavy shelling, as a result of which hundreds of thousands of hryvnias of damage were caused: expensive equipment was damaged, and the newsroom premises were partially destroyed. At that time, help was extremely valuable. It was difficult to recover after a devastating blow. It was thanks to the help organized by the NUJU and the support of patrons that Nostalzhi managed to sound again.
Also, due to damage to the infrastructure by the enemy, there are many hours of power outages in the city. The radio company Nostalzhi 102.4 FM is able to prepare and broadcast programs precisely thanks to the charging station that the media workers received from the NUJU.
“At the end of March, a meeting with the President of the NUJU, Sergiy Tomilenko, also took place in the premises of the radio company Nostalzhi 102.4 FM,” details Yuliya. “During a working trip to the southern front-line areas of Ukraine, he visited Nikopol, responding to our invitation. To meet with local journalists and get to know firsthand how we work despite the dangerous conditions and threats brought by the war. I invited the radio station staff members of the board of the Nikopol branch of the NUJU to a meeting with the President of the NUJU. There was a substantive exchange of views on the present and prospects and the importance of support.”
“The radio company in Nikopol, the work of media workers in dangerous regions is a symbol of the stability of Ukrainian journalism,” expresses his confidence Sergiy Tomilenko. “In the media sphere, people work in wartime conditions, who, despite the threat, remain faithful to their profession and communities every day. Their work is an example of journalistic courage.”
“So, even in the current difficult circumstances, life in Nikopol continues,” says Yuliya. “We have some cafes, shops, there is a household services sector, hairdressers. I will tell you about a small episode. When Sergiy Tomilenko arrived, I called the radio company to warn about the visit of the NUJU President. The company employee immediately said that she urgently needed to get her hair done in order to look good when meeting guests. You see, we in Nikopol are great optimists.”
Earlier, we reported that Valerii Tereshchenko, the head of the radio company Nostalzhi 102.4 FM from Nikopol, was among 26 media workers and volunteers awarded the Cross of Civil Merit by the NUJU.
Liudmyla Maznova, NUJU Information Service
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