I am very optimistic about Ukrainian journalism. After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the country’s media faced huge challenges from the oligarchs who owned them, from state censorship and other official pressure, and from Russian propaganda and disinformation. All of this, of course, created a major threat to journalistic professionalism.
Indeed, two of the country’s most renowned journalists, Georgiy Gongadze and Pavlo Sheremet, were murdered for their reporting, demonstrating just how dangerous the profession can be in Ukraine.
Starting in 2014, however, a lot of progress started being made. First, a nationwide movement against corruption, lawlessness and Russian meddling started getting traction, sending millions of Ukrainians out onto the streets for the Revolution of Dignity. Many journalists were active participants, taking up the fight against the country’s corrupt media while creating a variety of dynamic, independent media platforms from scratch.
And, surprisingly, several Ukrainian oligarchs helped them do it, by launching information wars in which they leaked information about each other that had previously been hidden from the Ukrainian public. As a result, the corrupt schemes on which their empires were based were laid bare, leading journalists to dig deeper and find out more. Many journalistic investigations began to be launched, with some of them gaining influence beyond Ukraine’s borders.
At the same time, individual Ukrainian journalists began to receive opportunities to study abroad or take professionalization courses, which sometimes led to work for foreign publications. This broadened their horizons, increased professionalism and provided a further stimulus in the fight for freedom of speech.
Eight years later, newly independent publications such as Novoye Vremya, Ukrayinska Pravda, Liga.net and others expanded their audiences by millions, providing more in-depth and open analyses.
This, of course, did not make independent Ukrainian media into high quality operations over night. Ukrainian journalists continued to confuse critical reporting with objectivity and often let their civic position influence their professionalism. But these are not unusual hurdles for a young democracy, especially one battling the malign influence of an imperialistic neighbor like Russia.
Kremlin propaganda has become one of the biggest challenges for Ukrainian journalists, whether delivered online or on television. Russian disinformation and endless streams of fakes have gradually been able to get around data verification and responsible reporting. And yes there is still an unquestioning trust in sources, and an enormous distrust in the authorities, which has given rise to public doubt and thus opened the door to Russian or pro-Russian fakes.
So Ukrainian journalism still has a ways to go, despite having made huge progress over the past eight years, and having turned freedom of speech into a value that many in the Western world understand, but that is still unavailable in most post-Soviet countries.
New, independent online platforms are now more trusted than television. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the USAID-funded Internews, about 50% of Ukrainians trust online media, against around 40% who still trust television. In 2014, however, the trust of Ukrainians in television was higher: 22% fully trusted it, and 59.5% partially. Television in Ukraine is mostly controlled by large financial groups.
The trend of going online is, of course, happening all over the world. But, less known is the way Ukrainian journalists are developing media as an institution by relying on their desire to create a quality media product.
Ukrainian photographer and documentary maker Maks Levin was killed while working in wartime by invading Russian forces. His body was found near the village of Huta Mezhyhirska on April 1. The 40-year-old father of four had been working with Ukrainian and international media. Here he is seen in Kyiv on October 10, 2019. (Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP)
Last fall I spoke with a respected Ukrainian investigative journalist, who told me, “This may sound corny, but I know for a fact that I want this independent publication to succeed.”
Faith is what gives strength to young Ukrainian journalism when their programs are censored, when they are pressured by powerful stakeholders, or bombs explode over their heads.
I remember the time I had to close an investigative program because of censorship. My department at a TV channel was targeted by arsonists as a warning, and we had to protect the staff. I was also taken to court in a lawsuit that lasted for over four years for an article I wrote about corruption, managing to vindicate myself only after an appeal. These are just some of the small but important steps that have helped to contribute to a free and open society in Ukraine.
The path of Ukrainian journalism will not be an easy one. But today, with a small but active army of journalists who believe in freedom of speech as a value of democracy, I am confident in the future of Ukraine.
