We are opening applications for editorial teams to join the “Transparency. Quality. Trust. JTI Certification Programme”!
The programme helps media outlets prepare for JTI (Journalism Trust Initiative) certification through training, self-assessment, individual mentoring, and step-by-step support towards the external audit.
This year the programme runs under two projects IRMI implements in partnership with Reporters Without Borders (RSF): the training and administration component is supported by RSF Sweden with funding from Sida, while the mentoring and educational materials are supported by RSF’s international headquarters through the JTI Fast Track programme with funding from the EU.
IRMI is implementing the JTI Fast Track in Ukraine for the second time. In 2024, 23 Ukrainian media outlets went through our programme. Three of them — Status Quo (Kharkiv), NikVisti (Mykolayiv), and Visnyk Ch (Chernihiv) — passed the audit and received JTI certification. Several more are currently going through the audit.
The Journalism Trust Initiative is an industry benchmark that gives media outlets official recognition of their professionalism and commitment to ethical standards through ISO certification. RSF developed the standard in 2018 together with 130 media experts from around the world, under the aegis of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). Today more than 2,400 media organisations in 127 countries use JTI — 1,460 are in the self-assessment phase, 830 have published transparency reports, and 135 have received full certification. For Ukrainian media serving as democratic watchdogs in wartime, JTI is a way to build audience trust, demonstrate credibility to donors, and push back against disinformation.
If your outlet is built around community, public interest, and responsible journalism — this programme is for you.
What we offer
Participants get training sessions and individual mentoring, hands-on help with documentation and self-assessment, and full preparation for the JTI external audit. Audit costs are covered by RSF, with the financial support of the EU, if the audit is completed before December 1, 2026. The programme closes with a joint conference for all participants.
Who can apply
- media outlets officially registered in Ukraine;
- editorial teams committed to public interest and responsible journalism;
- outlets already registered on the JTI self-assessment portal, or that have started their internal assessment or published a transparency report;
- outlets ready to move straight to the external audit after completing the programme;
- outlets able to take part in all programme activities.
15 media organisations will be selected. The mentoring part of the programme runs from May 1 to October 31, 2026.
Application deadline: April 30. Apply here: https://forms.gle/bPuxTA5tX1zCYwGw5
