Aid to Ukraine is provided largely thanks to the work of journalists who inform the societies and governments of countries around the world about the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, said coordinator of the network of Centers of Journalist Solidarity of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) Illia Suzdaliev during the presentation of the memorial exhibition entitled Carriers of Memory. Fallen Journalists – 2022 in Cherkasy on Friday.
As Yuliya Kulyk, the author of the Memorial / project coordinator of the Academy of the Ukrainian Press, said, the stands of the memorial exhibition present the stories of 21 media workers out of 43 who, according to the NUJU, have been killed since the start of the full-scale war.
“Journalists defend us on the information front, protect us with their words. Texts and footage made by journalists in Ukraine have flown around the world. Thanks to them, the number of people who understand the true essence of war, are not indifferent and support us is increasing,” Yuliya Kulyk stressed.
According to media trainer / head of the National Media Trade Union of Ukraine Serhii Shturkhetskyi, it is important not only to honor the memory of the dead, but also to take into account their experience in order to save their lives, “to work for the future and write their best reports…”
As noted by Illia Suzdaliev in a comment to the press service of NUJU, the safety of journalists is currently one of the most important issues on the agenda of the Ukrainian media.
“When covering the events of the current terrible war, there are certain rules for the work of journalists. Everyone knows them, but they are often neglected for the sake of work. There is no clear answer to whether or not such an approach has the right to exist. It’s everyone’s choice. But these issues need to be discussed, to draw the attention of colleagues to significant risks. Everyone must make decisions for themselves consciously. Perhaps there can be a certain compromise between security issues and the fulfillment of professional duty, and it should be sought,” believes Illia Suzdaliev.
He also told the participants of the event about the work of the Centers of Journalist Solidarity of the NUJU, which administer international and Ukrainian aid to journalists affected by the actions of the Russian aggressor.
“The International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, UNESCO, other international organizations through the network of our Centers provide a huge amount of assistance to Ukrainian journalists today. This includes emergency support for media workers who find themselves in a difficult situation, grant support, and technical assistance for colleagues deprived of their professional equipment,” said Illia Suzdaliev.
Mr. Suzdaliev added that the assistance provided to journalists by the Centers is far from being limited to material support, it is also psychological, legal, educational assistance, etc.
As earlier reported, the memorial exhibition Carriers of Memory. Fallen Journalists – 2022 was presented for the first time in Kyiv on November 23. The stands present the biographies of journalists who fell victim to the military aggression, shelling, and physical abuse. The project was implemented by the Academy of the Ukrainian Press with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, and Civil Society Cooperation in partnership with the NUJU.
As part of the presentation of the memorial exhibition, training sessions for journalists are planned to take place in three cities. In addition to Cherkasy, such events will also take place in Lviv (November 28) and Ivano-Frankivsk (November 29).
