Dear colleagues, I sincerely congratulate you all on Journalist’s Day!
At every stage of Ukraine’s development, the media and journalists played a significant role. Thanks to their commitment to democratic values and the principles of independent journalism, the Ukrainian media was able to pass through the darkest times with honor and become a real fourth power in Ukraine.
Independent media in democratic Ukraine have always disturbed the totalitarian regime of Russia, because they played a big role in preventing the same totalitarian regime from being established in our country. That is why, since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, the media and journalists have become a target of the Russian military and occupiers.
In 2022, with the beginning of a full-scale war, the Russian troops tried to destroy telecommunications systems, newsrooms, and journalists simultaneously with the destruction of military facilities and critical infrastructure. The journalists became targets for the occupiers. However, regardless of all the risks, Ukrainian journalists continued and continue to perform their professional duties, some of our colleagues joined the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, 85 Ukrainian media workers have died: 10 of them – while performing professional duties, 9 – not while performing professional duties, 66 – while performing military service. Bright memory to colleagues who gave the most valuable thing for Ukraine – their lives!
Despite the losses that Ukrainian journalism is suffering today, Ukrainian media continue to overcome all challenges and develop. We see how newsrooms are being revived in the territories that were previously occupied, how persistently media journalists work from completely destroyed settlements by the Russians, how newspapers are published in front-line territories despite regular shelling. In the same way as the Ukrainian military, the Ukrainian media today hold their informational front with dignity.
So, on this holiday, I want to thank all my colleagues for the important work they are doing today. I wish you strength and inspiration in your important work, professional development and growth!
Happy holiday!
Glib Golovchenko,
Director of the Ukrainian Institute for Advanced Training of Television, Radio Broadcasting and Press Workers,
Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine,
honored journalist of Ukraine,
Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences