With the beginning of a full-scale war, the editorial office of the Zhyttia Semenivshchyny newspaper continued its work and even became a kind of mediator between those who needed and those who could give. And its editor, Serhii Vysotskyi, personally delivered food to those in need. The material about the 90-year-old publication and its staff was published by Novyny Horodnianshchyny as part of the Journalists are Important! initiative of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).
“It was on February 24 that we as a team decided not to go to work, because the community immediately found itself cut off from any means of supply,” recalls Serhiy Vysotskyi. “It was necessary to recover and accept the terrible reality that occurred. But the very next morning, I came to the editorial office, which is located in the center of the city. And there I was already met by our stoker, who turned out to have came a day before to warm up the premises. The man immediately said: “Why have you all run away from here? You must work!” Apparently, that phrase gave the necessary momentum to understanding that, although there is no possibility to publish, something must be done, one cannot sit idly by.”
The editor filled up the newspaper’s Facebook page.
The first problem was that some pensioners did not receive their pensions in February. How can people survive without a penny, even in the absence of food supply to the trade network? Then the editorial office announced: “Perhaps you know people who are left with nothing and need help? And maybe someone has extra food to share? It’s time to unite!” Thus, journalists became mediators between those who could give and those who needed the help the most.
The community is still under shelling, and the newspaper is being published and those at the editorial office are volunteering.
“Unfortunately, it was already clear that after two months of downtime, without income and financial support, we will not be able to work as before,” says Serhii Vysotskyi. “So, four employees resigned voluntarily, and only three of us remained – me, the typist and the accountant. The first issue of Zhyttia Semenivshchyny after the start of full-scale aggression was published in May, on four pages to reduce printing and paper costs. The circulation has significantly decreased – now it is 1,500 copies. After all, the population in the community also decreased significantly – many people left, fleeing from the war. And although many say that, judging by the trends, the printed press is living its life, we cannot betray our readers. Because not all of them can use the Internet, but are waiting for the printed word.”
As earlier reported, the initiative Journalists are Important! aims to tell a wide audience about the value of the work of media workers, the risks and challenges faced by media workers, highlighting the truth and together with the entire Ukrainian people fighting for the freedom and independence of our country.
In the photo: Serhii Vysotskyi with one of the newspaper subscribers
