Ukraine’s Media Resilience: A Blueprint for the Future
Ukrainian media outlets are navigating an unprecedented crisis, demanding support in diverse forms – from emergency aid to long-term sustainability initiatives. This isn’t simply about keeping newsrooms afloat; it’s about preserving the ‘lungs of democracy’ in a nation under immense pressure. The “Stronger Together: Media and Democracy” project, a collaboration between AIRPPU, WAN-IFRA, and MBL with support from Norway, exemplifies a crucial approach to bolstering regional media during wartime and beyond.
The Shifting Landscape of Media Funding
The challenges facing Ukrainian media are multifaceted. Recent reports highlight a critical need for financial stability, particularly as traditional funding sources, like American aid, are disrupted. The “Stronger Together” program directly addresses this, providing resources that allow newsrooms to not only maintain operations but also to innovate and expand their reach. This is a departure from solely reactive aid, focusing instead on building lasting resilience.
Case Study: Pershyi Zaporizkyi – Stability Through Diversification
Pershyi Zaporizkyi’s experience demonstrates the power of strategic support. Facing cuts in funding, the newsroom utilized program resources to expand its team, adding journalists and an SMM specialist. This enabled a return to exclusive content production and the launch of novel formats, including interviews with community leaders and video stories exploring local history. Crucially, they adapted existing content for social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, achieving significant gains in views and engagement – a 90% increase in monthly website traffic and a 35% rise in total subscribers.
On the evening of November 25, Russian military forces attacked Zaporizhia; one of the enemy drones hit a ZNU dormitory.
Digital Transformation: Berezan Newspaper’s Leap Forward
Berezan newspaper exemplifies how traditional outlets can successfully transition to a digital-first model. The program facilitated the creation of a website, Instagram, and Telegram channel, alongside the addition of a freelance correspondent and an SMM specialist. Investments in equipment – a modern laptop, smartphone, and electric scooter – enhanced content quality and mobility. This resulted in a significant increase in Facebook views (from 27,000 to over 106,000) and website traffic (reaching 3,500 monthly visitors). Participation in the Media Congress and related workshops further refined their content strategy and operational processes.
The editorial team, in office, with printed copies of the newspaper.
Resilience and Recovery: Trudova Slava’s Story
Trudova Slava, from Orikhiv, faced the most challenging circumstances, including relocation and loss of infrastructure. The “Stronger Together” program enabled a systemic digital transformation, allowing the newsroom to rebuild and modernize. The addition of digital specialists and a restructured team led to a significant increase in Facebook followers (from 700 to over 5,100) and demonstrated the power of community engagement. This highlights the potential for recovery and growth even after substantial losses.
March 2025: Svitlana Karpenko near the editorial office building destroyed in May 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the “Stronger Together” program? It’s a component of the “Stronger Together: Media and Democracy” project, aimed at strengthening Ukrainian regional media through financial and organizational support.
- Who is involved in the program? AIRPPU, WAN-IFRA, and MBL are the key partners, with funding provided by Norway.
- What kind of support is provided? Support includes financial assistance, equipment, training, and strategic guidance to help newsrooms become more sustainable.
Learn more about the “Stronger Together” initiative: Stronger Together: A Year of Growth, Connection, and Forward Momentum
What are your thoughts on the future of journalism in Ukraine? Share your insights in the comments below!
