Journalists and blackouts: co-working at Lviv Journalists’ Solidarity Center

The russian army caused large-scale damage to the Ukrainian energy sector, which resulted in blackouts. The light may be absent for up to 12 hours a day, so in order to stay in touch during blackouts, Lviv media people come to the Western Ukrainian Journalists’ Solidarity Center of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).

Journalists constantly need communication and a stable Internet connection in order to write and publish important news on time, analyze events, and tell the world the truth. However, the difficult situation with electricity still affects productivity and the ability to quickly inform citizens.

Often, not only the Internet network but also the mobile connection disappears together with the light. So, media people come together at the Lviv JSC at 5 Solomiyi Krushelnytskoyi Street.

“Actually, due to very long blackouts in Lviv, it is difficult to work on the news feed. Somewhere, the mobile Internet is not enough; somewhere, there is almost no connection at all. But the JSC in Lviv always comes to the rescue. Center coordinator Nataliya Voitovych is always welcoming. Thanks to the JSC, readers will learn about current events in the country and the world in a timely manner. We successfully work in a real journalistic and friendly atmosphere,” noted Pavlo Dak, a journalist at the Vholos newsroom.

Fiber optic internet is installed in the JSC, and there is a constant electricity supply there. Journalists can charge their devices, work productively, and enjoy communication with colleagues.

“The fact that there is no Internet when the light goes out is a problem. And it is difficult to work at home. So from time to time, I drop by the NUJU’s JSC because there are always people here, there is communication, and you can share ideas,” says the editor of Channel 24, Nazarii Lazur.

The JSC unites journalists and provides all necessary support. And this is not only technical support but also moral help. After all, this is a place where you can express your feelings, and you will definitely be understood.

“When a blackout lasts for a long time, it is generally difficult. However, when you come to a place where people can work, you realize that you are not the only one in this world,” noted the journalist of the analytical department of Channel 24, Ivan Mahuriak.

Call the Western Ukrainian JSC at 097 907 9702 (Nataliya Voitovych, the Lviv JSC coordinator, Volodymyr Bober, assistant). The Center’s address is 5 Solomiyi Krushelnytskoyi Street.

ABOUT JSC

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.

ABOUT UNESCO

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.

Dariya Markova