THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
A documentary about the work of a frontline newspaper during the war helped Ukrainian media find new international partners and attract funds to support the frontline publication.
The film Pages of Hope, which was shot by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) about the frontline Orikhiv-based newspaper, Trudova Slava, became an effective tool for attracting funds for frontline media. The greatest success awaited it in Japan.
“We showed a documentary in Japan on the history of the newspaper Trudova Slava from Orikhiv. This story impressed colleagues from the leading Japanese broadcaster NHK,” says NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko. “Japanese journalists filmed their own television story about a Ukrainian frontline newspaper and showed it in the morning prime time on the country’s central TV channel.”
The NUJU has experience of successful missions to Japan – two years ago, a similar trip brought over USD 70,000 in charitable aid for the Ukrainian press. With that money, it was possible to resume the publication of about 30 local newspapers, mostly near the front line. We were able to secure financial assistance this time as well.
The editor-in-chief of Trudova Slava Svitlana Karpenko – the heroine of the film – emphasizes that without the support of grantors, the newspaper could not work.
“Unfortunately, we cannot organize either the sale of the newspaper or subscriptions in frontline conditions. Ukrposhta practically does not work in this direction,” says Svitlana.
Currently, the newspaper is delivered to frontline communities and distributed free of charge with humanitarian aid.
“The situation has worsened recently due to drones. In particular, drones attacked two minibuses, and as a result of one such attack, the driver is now in intensive care,” says Svitlana.
For residents of Orikhiv, the Orikhiv newspaper remains the main source of information. In the Orikhiv Community, the Internet works only where there are Starlinks, and during shelling, even mobile communication disappears.
“Therefore, the newspaper is delivered to all communities where we work. We have agreements with the leaders of all communities,” says Svitlana. “People wait for the publication at the inviolability points.”
Sergiy Tomilenko sees this as more than just journalistic work.
“We unite international partners, convincing them that such journalism saves the lives of thousands of Ukrainians. The film Pages of Hope has proven that stories of local heroism can find a global response and bring real help,” says the President of the NUJU.
The film Pages of Hope has previously been shown in Europe. At the General Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists in Budapest, representatives of 73 journalistic organizations from 38 countries gave a standing ovation after watching the film. Later, it was showcased in the Balkans during an event commemorating Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kosovo.
NUJU Information Service
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