NUJU First Secretary Lina Kushch presents Ukrainian media experience at the international Ditchley conference

NUJU First Secretary Lina Kushch spoke about the experiences of Ukrainian journalists and front-line media in Berlin at a conference organized by the British Ditchley Foundation as part of its Ditchley Media Program.

“It was an intensive “brainstorming” about the social value of journalism, about ways to counter russian propaganda, about media independence, about the influence of technology companies, about the search for new models of economic sustainability. Examples of when information from local media saves the lives of Ukrainians convince us of how important it is for journalists to continue their work during wartime. Especially during wartime,” said Lina Kushch.

A few thoughts that were expressed at the conference:

• How to monetize the truth is a challenge that all media are currently facing. We have the protection of facts from the protection of our interpretation of facts.
• The economy of disinformation: a disinformation campaign is often less expensive than a media literacy campaign.
• Technology will enhance journalism, but it will also harm small media.
• Data is becoming a new value in the technological era.

It is obvious to everyone that it is too late to react to a crisis when it has already begun; you need to prepare in advance. How to do this and how the Ukrainian experience can be useful – was also discussed.

“Participating in the discussion introduced me to incredible people from different countries and different fields, which gave me the opportunity to cover the problem “from above.” Each participant was presented with one issue of the English-language edition of Front-line Press, which included materials from Ukrainian front-line newspapers supported by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU). The publication gives foreign colleagues the opportunity to feel directly involved in the work of Ukrainian colleagues,” noted Lina Kushch. “And I also want to note a new and interesting place for media professionals in Berlin – Publix, a space for work, meetings, and communication.”