We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Founded three months before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent’s fight for editorial freedom has become a greater battle to protect Ukraine’s democratic ideals, all while keeping staff safe. Anna Chernikova speaks to its team for VOA.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptPress Freedom Kyiv Independent
HEADLINE: Ukrainian News Outlet Finds Itself on the Front Lines
TEASER: Founded to safeguard editorial independence, The Kyiv Independent juggles explaining the war in Ukraine with keeping its journalists safe
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 11/3 AT 9:30AM
BYLINE: Anna Chernikova
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kyiv
VIDEOGRAPHER: Eugene Shynkar
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA ORIGINAL
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:59
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
NOTES: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[Founded three months before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent’s fight for editorial freedom has become a greater battle to protect Ukraine’s democratic ideals, all while keeping staff safe. Anna Chernikova speaks to its team for VOA.]]
((NARRATOR))
It’s an all-too common scenario.
As an air raid siren sounds, journalists at The Kyiv Independent gather their belongings and relocate to a shelter: an underground bar close to their newsroom.
((NARRATOR))
Founded by journalists from the Kyiv Post who wanted greater independence, the media outlet launched just three months before Russia’s invasion. Since then, the English-language website has quickly become a leading voice on the war in Ukraine.
((NARRATOR))
Its young team keeps the world focused on Ukraine — both at home and abroad.
((For radio: Olga Rudenko is editor-in-chief of The Kyiv Independent))
((Olga Rudenko, The Kyiv Independent Editor in Chief)) ((Female/English))
“It's never easy to cover any war, but especially so when it's a war that is in your country, and you're not just a journalist who arrives on the scene and then goes home to
safety. But there is no safety for you, there is no safety for your family. And it's quite different for us, for journalists who cover the war, while actually, you know, living through it.”
((NARRATOR))
No story is worth a human life, and Rudenko sometimes holds her team back to make sure they don't take unnecessary risks. Her highest priority: their physical and emotional safety.
((For radio: Again, Olga Rudenko))
((Broll Olga points to dog that enters the office))
((Olga Rudenko, The Kyiv Independent Editor in Chief)) ((Female/English))
“And on the emotional side, it's more difficult. I don't think there are textbooks for managing a team like this, in a time like this. And well, that's part of our emotional support program, a dog in the office. I mean, we're all human, we're all just trying to get through all of it the best way we can and at the same time, do the best journalism we can for our audience.”
((NARRATOR))
Denys Krasnikov is a senior editor for The Kyiv Independent, covering the war while his mother remains in the heavily shelled city Zaporizhzhia. The work helps Krasnikov to hold on.
((For radio: Denys Krasnikov, of The Kyiv Independent))
((Denys Krasnikov, The Kyiv Independent)) ((Male/English))
“I think our work is kind of a therapy for us.”
((NARRATOR))
Originally from France, reporter Alex Query says Ukraine has become a second home.
((For Radio: French journalist Alex Query, from The Kyiv Independent))
((Alex Query, The Kyiv Independent)) ((Male/ English))
“Because it doesn’t really make any sense for me to come back to France. Because I feel my duty as a journalist here. And you know, well, not only toward giving an opinion but toward just generally this country and what’s happening.”
((NARRATOR))
The team has created a credible Ukrainian voice abroad. But a lot of work remains to be done.
((For radio: Daryna Shevchenko is chief executive of the Kyiv Independent))
((Daryna Shevchenko, The Kyiv Independent CEO)) ((FEMALE/ENGLISH)) “We were set up to be the voice of Ukraine. That’s why we started The Kyiv Independent.”
“We have to talk more and more to our international colleagues and partners, explaining things that often seem obvious to us, but are not obvious to them. And I think this is a big part of our mission. Recently we launched the section ‘Explaining Ukraine' that is exactly about that, adding context to what is happening in the country.”
Within its first year, The Kyiv Independent's fight for editorial independence has transformed into a greater fight to protect Ukraine’s democratic ideals.
((ANNA CHERNIKOVA, FOR VOA NEWS, KYIV, UKRAINE))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
KYIV, UKRAINE
Embargo DateNovember 3, 2022 18:59 EDT
Byline((ANNA CHERNIKOVA, FOR VOA NEWS, KYIV, UKRAINE))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
