picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS | Mstyslav Chernov

ECPMF

24 February 2023

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One year of war: Support for journalists in Ukraine

Few recent events have put the absolute importance of media freedom as starkly in the spotlight as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During times of crisis and conflict, we rely on journalists and media workers for accurate, timely, and potentially life-saving information. However, in a cruel irony, at the same time, these moments in history are also when media workers find themselves subject to the most severe threats to their livelihood and wellbeing.

 

One year has passed since the invasion began, and in that year we have recorded the tragic deaths of at least nine media workers who died in the course of their work in Ukraine. We have also registered 154 media freedom violations in the country – including physical assaults, kidnappings, verbal and legal attacks, censorship, and damage to property.

 

At times like these, we need journalists and media workers more than ever. With that, they need more support than ever. Below, we have listed the support we have offered to Ukrainian journalists and media workers in this past year, and outlined how you or your colleagues can apply for similar support should you need it.

Support for media in Ukraine - JiR Leipzig

As part of our Journalists-in-Residence programme, we have welcomed 7 journalists from Ukraine to Leipzig. During the programme, these journalists have access to a safe place and everything they may need to continue working or to rest and recover. This includes a furnished apartment, health insurance, psychological counselling, a monthly stipend, and access to journalism-related training, among other opportunities.

With support from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, we expanded the JiR Programme following the full-scale invasion, launching the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo Programme. The programme offers residencies in Pristina, Kosovo, for journalists from Ukraine.

Support for media in Ukraine - JiR kosovo
Support for media in Ukraine - Stipends

As part of the “Voices of Ukraine” project, ECPMF supplied living stipends to journalists and media workers on the ground in Ukraine. The stipends provided these journalists with an income that enabled them to continue their work and report independently.

The Voices of Ukraine programme also provided grants to replace journalistic equipment that was damaged or lost while working in a war zone or as a result of having to leave the country. In addition, media outlets could apply for grants to replace obsolete equipment that would improve the quality of their reporting.

Support for media in Ukraine - Equipment
Support for media in Ukraine - Journalists Trained

Journalists in Ukraine, including existing emergency stipend programme participants, were given access to professional training on disinformation, digital security, and psychological resilience during the war.

Find support

Read more about ECPMF’s support offerings and reach out to us here.

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