Ukraine’s information space is undergoing a deep transformation under the pressure of prolonged hostilities. At a panel discussion within the Wonder Media Forum in Kyiv, media managers of the country discussed the evolution of the profession. The discourse covered the coverage of sensitive topics, the preservation of psychological stability of teams, and the critical rethinking of classical Western journalism standards.
Normalization of Sensitive Topics in the Information Field
Domestic editorial offices have significantly changed their approaches to covering human rights. Today, there is a striking contrast between modernity and the beginning of the 2000s, when publications about the rights of the LGBT community caused fierce resistance from conservative movements. A effective strategy has been the constant presence of these topics in the information space. From the stage of the forum, an explanation was heard:
“What to do to maintain the interest of a disloyal audience? Just write about it constantly in a completely normal information tone”
Chief Editor of NV Yuliya McGaffi
Journalists are shifting their focus to a specific person, looking for points of contact with the audience, says Darina Fedenko – Chief Editor of Hromadske media
“We approached civil partnerships from the point of view of problems for all of us – the problem of arranging children in a kindergarten, access to a partner in the intensive care unit”.
Such normalization creates space for a calm dialogue.
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The Threat of Radicalization and Post-War Social Rifts
Wartime conditions are making adjustments to the pace of social change. Social sensitivity is increasing, and radicalization is being observed. The presence of a significant number of citizens on the front line and the growth of care burden in the rear stimulate a conservative shift. The participants of the discussion noted:
“War somewhat removes the issue of equality from us. On the front line, the majority of men are fighting, and care work for the wounded falls on women”
Christina Gavriluk, Chief Producer of “Suspilne News”
Industry representatives are preparing for a complex post-war stage. The absence of an active external threat after the cessation of hostilities may expose internal rifts. Evaluating the future, one of the speakers shared the thoughts of her military comrade:
“The end of the war scares more than the war itself. It’s very difficult to maintain unity within when there is no serious threat right now”.
Editorial offices will have to find tools to cover these processes without deepening social polarization.
Why Classical Western Objectivity No Longer Works
Experience working in conditions of large-scale conflict forces Ukrainian media workers to reject the complex of inferiority. The uniqueness of domestic crisis management skills is emphasized. Evaluating cooperation with foreigners, Christina Gavriluk noted
“So much experience in trauma reporting and sensitive reporting, like in Ukrainian media, no one else has. This is a big myth that Ukrainian journalism is incompetent, and international journalism is ideal”
Christina Gavriluk, Chief Producer of “Suspilne News”
Requirements from foreign partners to provide a platform for representatives of the aggressor country for the sake of formal balance of opinions are met with reasoned refusal. Ukrainian editorial offices explain their position clearly:
“We do not want to downplay the agency of the enemy under the guise of objectivity, he must bear full responsibility for his actions”, says Christina.
Western colleagues have the opportunity to adopt Ukrainian security protocols and adapt their own standards to the realities of modern wars.
Challenges of Local Editorial Offices and Protection from Burnout
The functioning of regional press remains one of the most challenging areas. Coverage of local problems in small communities carries increased risks for authors due to close social ties. Describing this specificity, experts emphasized that creating sharp materials in a closed community where everyone knows each other requires courage, resources, and a powerful support network. The need for a balanced approach is noted: a journalist must take on the topic that they can emotionally handle, and the editorial office must protect its employees. Maintaining psychological balance becomes a basic need for each team. Despite fatigue, work saves from despair:
“Our journalistic work – it’s like an antidepressant. It’s a gradual work, where over time society implements its strategies”.
The ability to record historical events and influence public opinion serves as a reliable mechanism against professional burnout.
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