UNESCO and the Kyiv Independent create a school for Ukrainian journalists aspiring to report for international audiences

With the ongoing war presenting new challenges every day, local journalists find themselves at the forefront. In the midst of this turmoil, there is a pressing need for reporting from Ukraine for international audiences grounded in a deep understanding of Ukraine’s culture, historical background and social-political landscape.

The goal of this intensive training, funded by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication, is to equip them with the knowledge of international journalism standards, ethical practices, storytelling principles and pitching stories to global media outlets. Participants benefited from the experience and knowledge of leading Ukrainian and international journalists, reporters and media specialists.

Among about 80 applicants, nearly 30 journalists motivated to grow and develop in the field of international journalism were selected and participated in the 10-day training. The Kyiv Independent J-School has attracted a diverse cohort, including seasoned journalists, students and individuals transitioning to journalism from various fields. 

One of the trainees, Tania Myronyshena, with two years of journalistic experience, plans to shift her focus to culture and history for both Ukrainian and foreign audiences. The catalyst was her overseas experience during the war, where she observed the damaging effect of disinformation. This ignited her passion to debunk stereotypes and share the untold stories of her homeland with a global audience.

In order to deliver reliable, context-rich reporting, providing fair and trustworthy news on a variety of topics, the J-School’s training also extends to essential aspects like upholding professional reporting standards, conducting thorough fact-checks and analysing publications and images. 

The J-School curriculum also had a special section dedicated to countering disinformation as well as malicious narratives. This strategy aligns with the overarching goal of fortifying the access to information and accuracy in media.

The school has become a space where participants are not just learning about journalism but also discovering their unique roles in keeping the rest of the world informed about the situation on the ground.

These new skills will also enable participants to increase their career opportunities. In addition to the prospect of freelance opportunities with international media outlets, apprentices also learned how to adapt their own newsrooms, making them more appealing to international audiences.

Thanks to this project, the Kyiv Independent J-School has become a hub for aspiring journalists seeking to amplify Ukraine’s voice on the global stage. The project has not only reinforced the capacities and skills of local journalists and editors but has also strengthened collaboration among young Ukrainian media professionals.

As a next step, each school participant is set to contribute at least one story on the Kyiv Independent website or in partner media outlets. Five participants were chosen for a month-long internship in the Kyiv Independent newsroom.