This was followed by the departure of Vitaly Sich, the now former chief editor of Korrespondent.
It’s no great feat to stick to principles when times are good. Taking the high road is only worth something when it is the more difficult choice.
Whether or not we get a full picture of what events and intrigues took place in those newsrooms, those who have chosen exile to comfort deserve credit: they are taking their skills of reporting insightful and objective stories in a market that has little place for them.
For 18 years now, in good times and bad, the Kyiv Post has abided by such principles. They can be seen in our motto: Independence, Community, Trust. Our journalists have always doggedly pursued the truth, no matter the potential fallout. That’s because we believe this is what’s best for our brand, and that’s it is the only way to do journalism. I hope that Kyiv Post continues to be a place where all the journalists with the necessary talent and values can find work, and if necessary – refuge.
More than ever the country needs reliable sources of information. Talks on the association and free trade agreement with the European Union have collapsed, although some believe this is but a negotiation tactic in a high-stakes poker game among Kyiv, Moscow and Brussels.
The country is also struggling economically. Ukraine has been in recession for more than a year and is running out of hard currency fast. Neither devaluation nor gas spats can be ruled out, though any long time observer of Ukraine knows that the country can pull both good and bad surprises out of the hat at the last moment.
That is why the Kyiv Post organizes its annual Tiger Conference – to get the best and most informed minds in a room and shed light on where the country is heading, what it needs to prosper and what business should do to adapt. Last year’s conference tackled the question of whether economic revival was possible in the near term. This year, on Dec. 3, it tackles an even bigger question: What the future of Ukraine will look like after the Vilnius Summit, and whether it can tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
It is also a chance to meet with the community of those who care about Ukraine and its independent press at the end of the year. This is a useful institution to have when times are good, but it is critically important when they are not. And though it may not be the easy choice, the Kyiv Post will persevere true to its values and mission, and our belief that this country can live free and prosper, no matter how long the road.
Kyiv Post CEO Jakub Parusinski can be reached at [email protected]
