Vidkrytyi TV channel director Natalia Babachenko thanks partners for their help

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) handed a laptop from Swedish colleagues over to editors of the Dnipro Сity TV channel, Vidkrytyi. In general, the Swedish partners handed over several laptops (not new, but in good working condition) to the Ukrainian media workers. This is one of the moments when the NUJU, together with its international partners, helps Ukrainian media renew their technical base. After russia’s full-scale invasion, the world media community showed solidarity with Ukrainian journalists. To increase stability in the conditions of war, everyone helps with what they can.

“We receive many requests from the media about technical support. If possible, we help – we provide cameras, laptops, handed over generators, and Starlink systems for newsrooms. Now, a laptop from Swedish colleagues was handed over to the editors of the Dnipro TV channel, Vidkrytyi. It is a pre-owned laptop, but it is in good condition,” says Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the NUJU.

Today, it is very difficult without partner support, Natalia Babachenko, the director of the Dnipro-based Vidkrytyi TV channel, is convinced. She applies wherever she sees opportunities for the stability and development of her media. Vidkrytyi journalists cover the war, prepare reports from the settlements of Nikopol and Marhanets shelled almost every day, traveled to the Kherson and Donetsk Regions. The channel is preparing a major TV project about displaced people.

“We have a first aid kit and a power bank from the NUJU. Thanks to our partners, we have a Starlink station, a generator, helmets, and body armor for the safe work of journalists. In fact, our partners help us a lot, and I sincerely thank them for that. Nowadays, it is very difficult to survive. We didn’t shut down [channel], we didn’t stop broadcasting, we didn’t lay off anyone. But in the course of our work, the equipment wears out. Great thanks to the Union of Journalists! Even if I apply [for some help] and don’t win [the contest], I still write – thanks [to the Union] for the fact that there is such an initiative, there is such support from the media. It’s very cool! We will continue to work, hold our information front, all together to Victory! But support is needed!” says Natalia Babachenko.

The safety of media workers is one of the main priorities of the Union. Nataliya Nazarova, the coordinator of the Dnipro Journalists’ Solidarity Center of the NUJU, has handed over the Safety Guide for Journalists from UNESCO to the Vidkrytyi channel and recalled that, if necessary, protective equipment can be rented for temporary use at the rental point operated by the regional journalistic organization. The JSC also conducts safety training sessions for media representatives.

Call the Dnipro JSC at 050 919 8479 (coordinator Nataliya Nazarova). The Center’s address is 8 Starokozatska Street;

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.

Dnipro JSC Information Service