Irina Malkova

(Journalist from Russia, JiR in 2024)

“I am deeply grateful to the entire ECPMF team for their support and care for The Bell team. When you find yourself far from home, it is very difficult to get your bearings in a new place. Any problem that would take half an hour to solve back home can feel insurmountable, and as a result, there are times when you simply don’t have the energy to work. We were very lucky that, in this challenging moment, we weren’t alone. I will never forget the sensitivity and openness with which you cared for us. Feeling that you’re not alone, that there are empathetic people nearby, means so much. On a professional level, I was able to step back from the daily grind and take a fresh look at our work thanks to the workshops and events we were fortunate to attend through the programme. Through ECPMF, we also connected with journalists from other countries where freedom of speech is under threat.Talking to people who continue to work no matter what is a truly inspiring experience.”