THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
As part of the systematic work of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) to support printed publications during wartime, a meeting was held at the Zaporizhzhia Journalists’ Solidarity Center (JSC) of the NUJU with a group of specialists from the Zaporizhzhia Directorate of the Ukrposhta joint-stock company responsible for the subscription and distribution of periodicals and, in particular, the Head of the Department of Periodicals of the Zaporizhzhia Region, Nadiya Zhylinska, Network Development Director Oksana Skachkova, and Regional Manager Viktoriya Sandakova. The discussion was dedicated to the conditions of the subscription campaign for 2024, its quality and timely implementation, and the organization of clear delivery of newspapers to subscribers.
It is worth reminding that the results of the work of the all-Ukrainian “hotline” of the NUJU regarding the subscription and delivery of newspapers and magazines to the population of Ukraine, which people have been contacting for several months, revealed a number of significant drawbacks. The problem was discussed at a meeting of the leadership of the NUJU and Ukrposhta. The meeting at the Zaporizhzhia JSC is a kind of continuation of this serious conversation at the local level.
The head of the Department of Periodicals of the Zaporizhzhia Region, Nadiya Zhylinska, spoke about the conditions and tariffs for subscriptions for 2024 (As earlier reported, at the All-Ukrainian meeting, the parties agreed that the subscription tariffs would not change during the year so that editors could plan the stable work of publications), about the press distribution and delivery system. She also reported that starting next year, editors will resolve all subscription issues with the main directorate of Ukrposhta in Kyiv, noting that the share of subscription work in the total volume of tasks of Ukrposhta is only 3%.
“There are few local printed publications left in the region. In the regional center, those are Horozhanin Inform, Zaporizkyi Pensioner, and the MYH newspaper, which has not yet announced a subscription for the next year, as well as [the following publications] in the districts of the region – Nashe Zhyttia (Novomykolayivka), Dniprovski Vohni (Vilniansk), Holos Huliaipillia (Huliaipole) and Trudova Slava (Orikhiv). However, we understand how important it is now for the population to receive information in a timely manner; we are ready to cooperate and will do everything possible for the clear operation of stationary and mobile post offices, although it is quite difficult in the conditions of the front-line territory, which is our region,” emphasized Nadiya Zhylinska.
Oksana Skachkova, the director of the Ukrposhta network development in the Zaporizhzhia Region, told the participants of the meeting about the significant reduction in printed publications and the problems that arise in connection with this with timely delivery.
“Editors of local print media have no fewer problems. But newspapers must reach people on time as verified information in the front-line territories is as important to people as air and bread. Also, our editors and the entire journalist community suggest finding an opportunity and lowering the tariffs for newspaper delivery to the front-line territories,” said Director General / Editor-in-chief of the MYH newspaper, Hennadii Derybas.
Kateryna Zavarzina, the editor of the Nashe Zhyttia newspaper from Novomykolayivka, emphasized that an essential factor in successful subscription is the active participation in this campaign not only of newspaper editors but also of mail carriers.
“After all, it is Ukrposhta that people pay for the delivery of printed publications. So, you are directly materially interested in increasing the overpayment; with your participation, the 3% you talked about can grow significantly. Taking into account the ideological and political aspects of the problem, then Ukrposhta, as a Ukrainian state enterprise, should, on an equal footing with all others, ensure the rights of the population to receive truthful information about the war,” Kateryna Zavarzina noted.
The discussion was fruitful and active. Liubov Starodvorska, the editor of the Horozhanin Inform newspaper, shared her experience of organizing subscription work and more active engagement of readers. In particular, this editorial office organized a Charitable Fund and provides all kinds of assistance to its subscribers.
The Holos Huliaipillia newspaper editor, Tetiana Velyka, spoke about the work with the population in the front-line communities for the subscription of the newspaper. Svitlana Karpenko, the editor of the Trudova Slava newspaper, spoke about the schedules of mobile post offices in the Orikhiv Communities.
“Nataliya Kuzmenko, the head of the Zaporizhzhia regional organization of the NUJU, said that the conversation was useful and, at the same time, once again outlined the problems of the Zaporizhzhia media, which require an urgent solution at the state level. And this is what the NUJU is currently working on,” Union’s President Sergiy Tomilenko spoke about this at the All-Ukrainian Meeting of Editors.
The NUJU emphasizes that today, Ukrainian media, more than ever before, need state support. Therefore, we initiate an appeal to the President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a call for the immediate development and implementation of a state policy to support the Ukrainian press based on the interests of information operational security, from the reality of resistance to the propaganda attacks of the occupiers. At the same time, we suggest placing a particular emphasis on supporting the media from the de-occupied and front-line territories.
We call on government officials to implement a comprehensive program of support for Ukrainian media, which would take into account the issues of distribution and postal delivery of subscription periodicals, provision of newsprint, and printing. That is, we ask you to take into account all the components that ensure the functioning of the Ukrainian press so that we ensure the right of Ukrainians to access information. Moreover, the press remains the only source of information in many areas where the infrastructure has been destroyed.
Call the Zaporizhzhia JSC at 096 277 5352 (Nataliya Kuzmenko and Valentyna Manzhura, the co-coordinators of the Zaporizhzhia JSC). The Center’s address is 152 Sobornyi Avenue.
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.
Valentyna Bystrova
Photo by Yurii Zelinskyi
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