international NASTIA TELIKOVA/LMF


UK, the support of your journalists and for many of your institutions in your country that are supporting us. I know that for a long time we were like children to you in the media world. But now we see how our partnership is changing, and how we can become a valuable partner for you to help us reflect our experience, and make it more considerable for other nations and other countries.” Since LMF’s inception in 2013, the annual event has


become the largest media conference in Central and Eastern Europe; it is the continent’s second largest, after the International Journalism Festival in Perugia. Its reach and impact are impressive, and it was fascinating to meet and hear how media professionals from across the globe are finding solutions to similar issues, including disinformation, unaccountable social media platforms and the evolving nature of democratic participation. As the war grinds on, journalists continue to be


targeted. More than 20 Ukrainian journalists are detained by the Kremlin, making Russia the top jailer of foreign journalists, notes Pauline Maufrais, Reporters Sans Frontières’ regional officer for Ukraine. Maksym Butkevych, a Ukrainian human rights defender and journalist, witnessed firsthand while


ANTTONI JAMES NUMMINEN


charity BBC Media Action. Mariya Frey, a member of Suspilne’s


management board, is a producer begrudgingly turned manager who is responsible for the development of regional teams of journalists across Ukraine. “We have a very competitive media market and,


mostly, the most powerful media companies were sponsored by oligarchs and political parties,” she says. “To have your own independent TV channel, it was like a dream – it was almost impossible.” She said that strong public support for the public service


broadcaster is “one of the reasons for our success – this is a very demanding Ukrainian audience”. Despite its success, Suspilne faces many problems, from


underfunding to the destruction of infrastructure, as well as threats to journalists and audience news fatigue. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Reporters Sans Frontières has recorded cases of more than 175 journalists who have fallen victim to abuses amounting to war crimes committed by the Russian army. “Our journalists, especially on the frontline, face threats and


our colleagues have been killed. Four of them from Suspilne are already dead. At the same time, we are struggling with everything that European media is struggling with, from big tech algorithms, fragmentation of the world, AI disruption and news fatigue as well,” Frey notes. “We have the same issues but, because of the war and the insecure environment, a mistake could actually cost you your life.” Frey, who accepted a senior role in the organisation to


advocate for colleagues in the field, is cautiously optimistic about the future of Ukrainian journalism, thanks to Ukrainian audiences as well as international support and solidarity. She adds: “Ukrainians are people who are fighting for


freedom. Tey understand and see when someone is trying to reduce their freedoms. “I’m also grateful for the long-term support of people in the


Andriy Yusov, of Ukraine’s intelligence service; friends from the UK, India, France and Portugal whose gathering was interrupted by an air alert


in Russian captivity a version of the world where most people were “reduced to objects of coercion or manipulation, and where the creation of their reality is decisively influenced by small groups of leaders,


manipulators, or the wealthy”. Te only reality worthy of humanity, he concludes, is one inherently linked, whether we like it or not, to “all


political decisions, civic engagement, mutual information- sharing and the shaping of our worldview, and everyday interactions – we are responsible for all of this”. Butkevych’s advice and the lessons learned from Ukrainian


media are far from limited to hot war settings. Chris Liu, the vice president of Radio Taiwan International, was part of a delegation that shared lessons about maintaining and supporting media institutions in a country with an aggressive neighbour. He emphasised that public broadcasters in particular should be seen as critical infrastructure to be protected in the event of a natural disaster or war. Liu, who previously headed the Taiwan office of the UK


“


public body the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, told Te Journalist that the learning went both ways. “As journalists, we can learn from how Ukraine counters


As Taiwanese journalists, we can learn from how Ukraine counters disinformation. China uses the same tactics


disinformation, because we know that Russia has a lot of disinformation campaigns against Ukraine, especially in terms of manipulating the vulnerability of Ukrainian society, and the Chinese government employs the same tactics. “I think Taiwanese journalists not only can learn from


Ukraine but also should compare tactics. Te other thing we can learn from Ukraine is how to maintain resilience during wartime because in Taiwan, although we encounter a lot of disinformation campaigns and information operations, we are not at war militarily with the Chinese government.” I caught up with Myrovich once more before leaving Lviv,


and I asked what message or thought she hoped journalists departing the conference would keep in mind. “Tey have to reconsider their role in society and remember


they are responsible for keeping society in reality, which is very tough because the human brain is built to escape tough things.”


theJournalist | 09


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25