The Kyiv Independent: “The function of journalism is not to sugarcoat Ukrainian realities”

The Kyiv Independent is an English-language Ukrainian mass media founded in November 2021 by former employees of the Kyiv Post and the media consulting company Jnomics Media. This is a fairly young media organization. But from the start of the full-scale invasion, all its correspondents became war correspondents.

There was no normal work with a division into business, investigative journalism, or economics…. All became warriors. At the RE:COVER event for media professionals (part of the Voices of Ukraine program, funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is organized by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom), investigative journalist Anna Myroniuk spoke about the problems associated with continuing work during the war and solving the dilemma of observing journalistic standards and ethical norms and promoting the development of a democratic society – from the point of view of a journalist who remains at the same time a patriot and a citizen.

“Over time, we engaged in investigative journalism as we realized that in addition to the war, other aspects of life should also be covered. The best form of patriotism through journalism is to expose what is wrong, not to praise what is working. We have conducted 13 investigations, in particular, showing how russian assets work. But the first topic we started last August is a topic that showed who we are. The first is the abuse of power in the so-called International Legion [a legion formed of foreign soldiers]. And this is part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What did we do? We received various data from sources in the legion; it was information that commanders were sending soldiers to commit suicide, and soldiers were being sent without the appropriate knowledge and equipment and without support. There were other charges, such as misusing small arms. We paid attention to all this information. At the same time, the said topic, so to speak, was not popular. Because the Ukrainian mass media wrote about how Ukraine is at war, and suddenly, we are writing about it. After all, our sources told us that there was inappropriate leadership behavior. We realized that we should cover this information to help the soldiers who came from abroad to help us. These foreign soldiers must be heard so that they can influence the situation,” Anna Myroniuk said.

In total, she noted, there were 30 sources, many hours of interviews, working with documents.

“As a result, we received awards for the material. But the only thing we have not achieved is justice. Because the Polish commander Piotr Kapuscinski, who was talked about, is still serving, despite all our efforts to change the situation for the better, says the journalist. Perhaps you will ask about the consequences, about persecution? But it was less than we expected. In the end, the International Legion wanted to sue us, but they refused. And after the following material, they took away our accreditation for the front line. We called the Defense Intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine. They asked not to do this because there was no reason. After that, there were many more great stories that we covered. This also applied to the Ministry of Defense, which purchased winter jackets, etc., at inflated prices. But some people told us that this is unpatriotic, that we are thus contributing to the russian propaganda machine. However, it is not the coverage of the thefts that harms the army but the thefts themselves. But there were also positive comments on the Internet. Yes, one of the readers wrote that thanks to such stories, he decided to support our publication. We were also supported on an international scale, but, as I said, there was not enough attention to this in Ukraine. Maybe because our audience is primarily abroad. We still believe that we have become the last resort for the soldiers of the International Legion. In the end, a 78-page complaint document was written and submitted to the parliament, but there was no reaction. As you can see, there have been no changes. But by exposing violations in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we believe that we can change the situation for the better,” says Anna Myroniuk. “And it should be done now. Because after the war, it may be too late. And today, we need to help the Armed Forces become better, to fight better, to direct resources better.”

The journalist says that the function of journalism is not to sugarcoat Ukrainian realities. And the role of journalism is to show Ukraine as it is now. And this is also the role of the Ukrainian government – to make Ukraine better.

And a few words about what we can do under martial law. According to the journalist, we can tell the truth and spend all our time on it. Because the truth is something that stays with us for a long time. Even if it is not convenient.

“I believe that corruption should be detected and talked about now. Because after the war, it will be too late. Anyway, exposing misconduct in the military or government helps Ukraine because it draws attention to the problem. The function of journalism has nothing to do with embellishing the Ukrainian reality but only with informing the public about what it is like. I believe that russia is trying to destroy Ukraine, including because there is a democracy here. And that’s why russia has been trying to destroy us for ten years. And if we quit the war against corruption, what did we fight for then? And that’s why journalists should report the truth and expose graft. Some in power will say that it is not the right time, the war is going on, and you will not be loved, but this is the profession we have chosen. And if Ukrainian journalists reveal corruption because the officials do not carry out certain measures, then the question is, which side are those officials on now?” says the journalist. “After all, russia wants us to be a corrupt country. This is what the russians are heading for. And we should not give them a chance.”

In conclusion, Anna Myroniuk noted that investigative journalism requires a lot of energy, time, and money. And it is necessary, and we should not only think about how russian propaganda will use negative materials about corruption. Because russian propaganda, in fact, uses and will use everything that is possible, even what does not relate to the topic at all. Therefore, here, you need to pay attention to common sense and do quality work.

Nazarii Vivcharyk, Krakow