Ukrainian journalists defend local voices as war with Russia enters third year

Ukrainian journalists at the frontline regions of the Russia-Ukraine war shared their challenges in wartime reporting at a seminar at the Danish School of Media and Journalism.

Organised by Nordic Journalism Center, a group of Ukrainian journalists were invited to share their experience in operating newsrooms in wartime Ukraine as the war with Russia enters into a third year. 

Oleksiy Soldatenko, programme director of the Institute for Regional Media and Information of Ukraine, said journalism in Ukraine has been struggling with the lack of funding and human resources.

“We have no equipment, we have energy cuts and blackouts, but we understand that we are part of this profession and we need to work within professional standards," Soldatenko said.

He added although working with communities in destroyed cities is difficult, some regional newspapers continue to reach readers.

“We work for our communities, but sometimes communities are not there,” Soldatenko said. “We have cities and towns that are completely destroyed, like Pahmo, but the newspaper from Pahmo is still working and going, trying to reach their people wherever they are, across Ukraine and in other countries of the world.”

Iryna Synik, editor of Stepova Zorya, a local newspaper based in Russian-occupied Petropavlivka in southern Ukraine, relies on online subscriptions to support operations. 

Synik said there is no room for depression because she and her only colleague have to edit and produce all the news pieces.

But she remains motivated to run the 95-year-old local newspaper.

"Because we are a local newspaper, we can tell stories that would not appear in the national news," Synik said.

Marharyta Halich, editor of regional TV broadcaster Suspilne Zaporizhzhya, said finding interesting stories during wartime is challenging because people are tired of hearing negative news about destruction and casualties.

Halich said she constantly feels empty and depressed while on duty. 

“As a TV presenter, you need to be prepared for a different emotion of your response with whom you speak with,” she said. “Sometimes you need to be prepared that this person may leave, or begin to cry.”

“Understanding these emotions from your sources is very important,” Halich added.

Halich said working with psychologists has become a new practice for Ukrainian journalists to manage mental pressure.

She said it is crucial to pair journalists with psychologists from the same region. If journalists are operating in eastern Ukraine but the psychologist is based in western Ukraine, they may have opposing views.

“It is a little difficult when you need to explain why you are so nervous or why you feel so empty,” Halich added.

Soldatenko also said the decision of US President Donal Trump to shut down the United States Agency for International Development will affect many local news outlets in Ukraine.

“It would be stupid if they close USAID forever, because it is the influence of Americans and their prestige in the world," Soldatenko added. 

He said that instead of relying on USAID, the Institute for Regional Media and Information of Ukraine has been trying to seek support from other donors, such as the Global Forum of Media Development.