Ukraine’s Journalists: Resilience Under Fire and the Future of News
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The recent World News Media Congress in Krakow served as a powerful reminder of the vital role independent journalism plays in a free society, particularly in the face of immense adversity. The courage and dedication of media professionals across Ukraine were a central theme, highlighting their unwavering commitment to truth even when operating under extreme duress.
The Unwavering Voice of Ukrainian Journalism
The congress underscored the profound bravery of Ukrainian journalists, who continue their work despite the ongoing conflict. As stated by Brovko, a representative of media professionals across Ukraine, “We don’t write because we are brave. We write as silence is not an option.” This sentiment encapsulates the critical mission of independent journalism, which he described as “the infrastructure of freedom.” In Ukraine,this infrastructure is being maintained “under fire,” and the recognition received is not a party but a solemn “responsibility – to keep speaking,especially when silence is safer.”
Finding the “Why” in a Challenging Landscape
The annual Congress consistently provides a unique perspective, acting as a microcosm of the entire news media industry. It’s an event that leaves attendees inspired and with a clearer understanding of the fundamental purpose behind their work.While the challenges facing the industry are notable and were openly discussed in Krakow, a palpable sense of optimism and possibility also emerged.
Two particularly resonant quotes from the event captured this blend of hope and caution:
shifting Focus from Threats to Opportunities
Christian broughton,CEO of The Independent,shared an anecdote that perfectly illustrates a common pitfall within the industry. he recalled a conference where a prominent “threats board” invited attendees to post their business’s biggest challenges. Broughton’s question, “oh, wow, where’s the opportunities board?” was met with a blank response. He observed, “I think sometimes our industry can be really kind of mistake-focused. And you know what happens if you keep staring at the threat or the mistake? You’re going to go straight towards it.” This highlights the importance of proactively seeking and focusing on potential growth and innovation rather than solely dwelling on obstacles.
Overcoming Fear-Driven Decisions
Lisa MacLeod of FT Strategies offered a stark assessment of industry decision-making, noting, “A lot of the choices we make in this industry are driven by fear, not because of excitement, not because of optimism, but absolute fear.” She further emphasized that the perceived threat of automation, such as robots writing headlines, is a misdirection of focus. “The biggest problem in your life is not a robot writing a headline for you. You’ve got many bigger problems to deal with. That is a tiny proportion of what’s coming down the road. It’s a tiny proportion of the opportunities that await you.” this perspective encourages a more strategic and less reactive approach to technological advancements, urging leaders to address more fundamental challenges and embrace emerging opportunities.
The insights shared at the Congress, many of which are detailed in the accompanying playbook report, are invaluable. They are a testament to the hard work of the Insights team and, more importantly, to the collective wisdom of news professionals who continue to innovate and persevere.
We look forward to seeing many of you at next year’s congress in Marseilles, or sooner if opportunities arise.
WAN-IFRA members can download the full report from our Knowledge Hub.
