THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
The first issue was timed to coincide with November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
On the eve of this day, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) — a member of the International and European Federations of Journalists and the country’s largest professional media organization — presents to the diplomatic community an expert overview of the challenges Ukrainian journalists face during the ongoing war, and the ways in which the Ukrainian media community responds to them.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2013, in memory of the killing of two French journalists in Mali.
A year later, in 2014, Russia launched its undeclared war against Ukraine.
In 2022, it escalated this aggression into a full-scale invasion — unleashing the bloodiest and most destructive war in Europe in the 21st century.
And recently, another French journalist, Antoine Lallican, was killed while reporting in Ukraine. He became the third French media worker murdered by Russia.
This impunity must end. That is why today, of all days, it is so important to speak about it.
Moreover, the killing of journalists is far from the only crime Russia commits against the press.
The impunity of Russia’s crimes against journalists has many dimensions — from physical attacks and imprisonment to economic destruction and psychological terror.
Accordingly, the Newsletter is called Five Challenges – Five Responses.
Five Challenges for Ukrainian Journalists under Russian Aggression:
- Killings – Targeted Attacks on Journalists
The most direct and tragic consequence of the war for Ukrainian media professionals is the constant threat to life.
- Detention – Journalists Unlawfully Held by Russia
The unlawful detention of journalists has become an unprecedented ordeal of cruelty.
According to monitoring by the NUJU, 28 journalists remain in Russian detention.
- Daily Threat to Life
In Ukraine today, there are no safe places to live — missiles and drones can strike any location, at any time.
This danger is especially acute for journalists working in frontline regions, who face a constant, 24-hour risk of being killed, wounded, or permanently injured. Beyond the physical danger, many have lost their homes, families, and livelihoods.
- Economic Collapse of the Media Sector
Ukrainian journalists now work in the conditions of a wartime economy — without functioning markets, fair pay, or stable advertising revenues.
- Psychological Pressure and Mental Health Crisis
There is not a single journalist in Ukraine who has not been personally affected by the war.
Some have lost their homes, others — loved ones. Many live with the daily fear for their relatives serving at the front.
If you would like to read the full Newsletter information, learn about the responses of Ukrainian journalists to these challenges, and receive the first issue of our newsletter, please fill out the form. We will send the newsletter to the address you provided. In the future, we will send subsequent Newsletter issues to this address.
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