“We need to learn from Ukrainian journalists,” Lithuanian Deputy Ambassador Donatas Butkus on support for frontline media

Projects to support frontline media in Ukraine are important for free media around the world because they show the truth about russian aggression and crimes. This was said by Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Ukraine, Donatas Butkus, during a Round Table at the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) within the framework of the project Strengthening the Resilience of Frontline Media as a Tool for Combating Disinformation. This project, which involved 20 newsrooms from frontline regions, was implemented by the NUJU with the support of the Embassy.

Donatas Butkus added: he is shocked by the conditions in which Ukrainian journalists work. They are forced to wear bulletproof vests, but cannot wear those with the inscription PRESS, because russia is deliberately targeting media representatives.

“Russia is afraid of the truth and is trying to silence not only Ukraine, but also Europe, to impose its own narratives. The work of frontline media is very important, because they show russian attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and show the truth,” said Donatas Butkus.

He emphasized that Lithuania systematically supports Ukraine on its path to European integration and considers it its duty to support our state in the fight against russian propaganda.

“For many decades, since Lithuania gained its independence, we have continued to fight russian disinformation and falsifications,” noted Mr. Butkus.

He also highly appreciated the manual published by the NUJU within the project, Journalism under Fire: Lessons from Ukraine, with materials for the training course titled This Manual is Very Important, because We Need to Learn from Ukraine.

The project is funded by the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine within the framework of the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme.