THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
During the russian-Ukrainian war, the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo program has been operating in the Balkans for almost two and a half years. The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) highly appreciates the contribution of the Republic of Kosovo in supporting this international program for the protection of journalists. Solidarity events with the people of Ukraine were held in Pristina the other day. On August 30, media representatives had the opportunity to meet once again with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and express their gratitude to the co-organizers and performers of the program.
NUJU Secretary Serhii Shevchenko, on behalf of the leadership of the Union, presented the head of the government of Kosovo with a special award from the leading professional organization in Ukraine, which unites journalists and mass media workers. The NUJU, as the largest creative Union in its country, is an active member of the European and International Federations of Journalists. The Union participates in the selection of candidates for activities in the international program. Since April 2022, almost two dozen journalists from Ukraine have worked (and most of them are still working) in the international program “in residence” in Pristina, based on the relevant recommendations.
The creative Union plays a key role in the development of independent journalism in Ukraine. It adapts its activities to the challenges of wartime and maintains high standards of the profession. The main areas of activity of the NUJU in the conditions of war are as follows:
- creation of a nationwide network of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers to support colleagues-victims of the russian aggression;
- organization of international assistance to the media (including material support of newsrooms in the front-line territories);
- elaboration of initiatives to revive the local press in the de-occupied territories;
- protection of journalists’ rights and advocacy for the safety of media workers in the war zone.
The Union also conducts safety training for journalists working in wartime conditions, promotes the professional development of colleagues through educational programs and exchange of experience, monitors violations of journalists’ rights, and informs the international community about the situation in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke at the meeting and said, in particular, that it is Kosovo‘s duty to support the fair liberation struggle of Ukraine for freedom and democracy. He thanked representatives of the Ukrainian mass media for their work. He added that two weeks ago, in accordance with the request of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), government officials agreed to the arrival of three more Ukrainian journalists to Kosovo as part of a professional program.
Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, the Deputy Prime Minister who heads the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, also participated in this meeting. Ukrainian journalists and representatives of the co-organizers and executors of the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo program, including Flutura Kusari from the ECPMF, received an invitation to the government office for the meeting. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, the representative of its collective governing body, Naile Dema, is also doing a lot to implement the program and was also a participant in the exchange of opinions at this event.
In a short speech, Serhii Shevchenko noted that he has the honor to fulfill the mandate of the President of the NUJU / member of the Executive Committee of the European Federation of Journalists, Sergiy Tomilenko, who visited Kosovo for the first time in May of this year at the meeting of the European Union of Journalists held in Pristina. The NUJU President highly appreciates the efforts made by European partners in ensuring the protection of Ukrainian journalists and creating conditions for remote professional activities. “Our sincere gratitude to the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, the Government of Kosovo, as well as the diplomats of Germany, other leading countries of the world, and the office of the European Union, for their significant contribution to this important matter,” Serhii Shevchenko said. “Currently, we are waiting for three more journalists who will come to Pristina from the front-line regions of Ukraine. We are grateful to everyone involved for supporting our Union‘s request to expand the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo program.”
The speaker also emphasized that Ukrainians appreciate the contribution of Kosovars in the fight against the russian aggressor and expressed confidence that Ukraine and the entire democratic world will definitely win.
The special award of the Union was presented to the Prime Minister of Kosovo for his significant contribution to the protection of Ukrainian journalists during the war, support of the international program Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo, and strengthening cooperation between journalistic organizations of Ukraine and Kosovo.
“We present this award with the firm belief that democratic values in protecting freedom of speech and ensuring the rights of journalists will continue to be a priority in both our countries,” said Serhii Shevchenko, who ended his speech with the words “Rrofte Kosova! Glory to Ukraine!”
Joint commemorative photos and communication of the head of government with media persons at the end of the event summed up the friendly atmosphere in which this meeting took place.
Liudmyla Mekh
Photo of the author and provided by the press service of the government of Kosovo
30.08.2024
Source: Journalistic Initiative website of the VBF
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