The topic of the training is mobile journalism. Better visualisation for better quality stories.

When: December 2-4, 2024.

Where: Lviv.

How will mobile journalism (MOJO) techniques help the media to be in demand, be effective, convincing, and to contribute to better understanding between various social groups and individuals? How to use MOJO to collect information and create content, how to communicate without deepening social cleavages in communities – that’s what we are going to tackle at the third training on highlighting social cohesion.

The agenda comprises the following:

– technical shooting skills: how to frame your shots, how to use a tripod, microphones and other equipment;

– editing rules, quick editing on a smartphone;

– interview techniques as a tool for obtaining information, principles of communication in working with sensitive topics, and developing stories using visualization.

The training includes presentations, practical work, and a feedback session.

Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered by the organizers.

Working editors and journalists from the media registered per the law of Ukraine are welcome to participate.

! Please note the minimum technical requirements:

– availability of iPhone 11/a newer iPhone model/smartphone with Android version 13 or newer (please specify the full name of the model);

– availability of up to 64 GB free space on your phone for video recording;

– availability of a wired or wireless microphone system compatible with the smartphone.

The availability of the following gear would be an asset:

–       a wireless microphone system compatible with your smartphone;

–       a (mini-)tripod with a smartphone holder for recording interviews.

The registration is open until November 18 via link

We will notify the successful applicants.

The training is part of the “Covering social cohesion – Strengthening the Capacity of the Media in Ukraine” project comprised of the following activities:

– a sociological study of Ukrainian journalists’ awareness of social cohesion, what knowledge and skills they lack, what active citizens think about the role of the media in addressing the issue;

– conducting three trainings for all media professionals interested in the topic of social cohesion;

– fifteen mini-grants to cover the preparation of stories on social cohesion;

– mentoring support for the grantees;

– a round table on the presentation of research findings and project results.

The project has been developed and is being implemented by the Institute for Regional Media and Information in partnership with UNESCO and supported by the state of Japan. The program is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the safety of journalists and freedom of expression in Ukraine.

Our partners in the project are the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NSJU) and the public organization “Promotion of Intercultural Cooperation”. UNESCO Ukraine

What are the ways to cover conflicts and sensitive topics? Do journalists influence these processes? In Lviv, at a training session for media professionals, mostly from regional publications, we discussed the relationship between hromadas and the media, and the coverage of sensitive topics from the perspective of professional and ethical standards.

Discussions focused on what social cohesion is, the factors that bring about social discord, and how to work with sensitive topics and identify the causes of conflicts. What are our tasks – humanitarian, informational – and how can we avoid hate speech? Should we, for example, give a voice to terrorists or criminals? During brainstorming sessions, journalists identified conflicts, sensitive topics, and their true causes, comparing these findings with those of sociologists. The focus was on conflict-sensitive journalism and its approaches.

Aliona Horova, Director of the NGO “Institute of Peace and Understanding,” trainer:

• Journalists have immense power to shape public discourse. It is undoubtedly easier to unite people against someone. However, this approach works against us because when you create an external enemy, it quickly turns into an internal enemy—those who have left Ukraine, relocated to safer areas, or do not want to return. From conflict resolution practices standpoint, I can say that the focus should be on creating unifying narratives. We should not unite against someone but do something together to win. We are Ukrainians. Journalists are creative and can come up with many practical tools to achieve this, making such unifying narratives more accessible and practical.

Journalists must operate within the legal framework and consider ethical standards when covering social conflicts that arise in hromadas, leading to heated discussions and causing social discord. Therefore, the legal foundations of journalistic work in conditions of social conflict, covering sensitive topics during the war, and recognizing disinformation were the main topics of the last two days of the training. We interviewed a colleague, Oleksandr Hunko, editor of Nova Kakhovka.City, who shared his experience as an internally displaced person. We then discussed whether our questions were professional and justified from legal, professional, and ethical perspectives and how we use the information obtained after watching the interview recording.

During brainstorming sessions, we worked on the concept and approaches to dealing with conflicts and sensitive topics in the context of social cohesion. Equally important was the topic of emotional burnout. We practiced stabilization and self-regulation techniques to help those whose daily routine is built around emotionally challenging topics.

Ivanna Danyuk, Media Center “Pereiaslavshchyna” (Pereiaslav):

• I heard a lot of interesting things, for example, about emotions. I often empathize with my interlocutor and transform this empathy into trust. But we must always remember the facts, the balance of opinion and voices in a story, and the impact the situation may have on other people. This is something I had not thought about. And one more thing: it is very important not to forget about ourselves, which we, journalists, do not do.

Oleksandr Hunko, Nova Kakhovka.City (Nova Kakhovka):

• I really liked the large amount of practical work. We worked with colleagues in groups or pairs, so we had the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, and find solutions together.

Marianna Shkavron, Horodok District Television and Radio Press Center (Horodok):

• These three days were very intense and diverse. It’s great that we get out of our “bubbles” and see something new. Journalists are people who should doubt and check facts. So thank you for reminding us. We know this, but sometimes we chase news so much, wanting to make it as quickly as possible, that we forget about such important matters. It was very interesting to talk to a lawyer and a psychologist, learn about conflicts and ways to resolve them, and about social cohesion. Journalists are actually people who can change something, have influence, and to some extent shape public opinion in their community, so a lot depends on us. We should not forget about this.

The training was held as part of the project “Covering Social Cohesion – Improving the Resilience of Media in Ukraine,” developed and implemented by the NGO “Institute of Regional Media and Information” in partnership with UNESCO and supported by the state of Japan. The program is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the safety of journalists and freedom of expression in Ukraine. Our partners in the project are the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NSJU) and the NGO “Promotion of Intercultural Cooperation.”

It is crucial not only to conduct sociological research but also to assist journalists in understanding how to address the evolving needs and demands of their communities. What tools are available to gather comprehensive information and combat misinformation? These topics were discussed during a content workshop in Kyiv.

Sociologists claim there is a strong need for two-way engagement between citizens and government. People want to understand how state and local budget funds are allocated and spent. Therefore, experts discussed how we can use budget reporting tools and what tools and sources can be used to find information about budget expenditures. During brainstorming sessions, ideas for stories that could be produced immediately were developed, as well as identifying which tools were lacking. Additionally, there was a training session on OSINT, mapping stories using online resources, and a session on digital security.

Sabra Ayres, project mentor and trainer:

• The sociological research conducted as part of our project showed that in each region, people want to understand how local authorities use state funding for various needs, from road repairs to building renovations. The training aimed to provide journalists with tools to prepare professional materials about local budgets and funding. We also offered a course on using internet resources for mapping stories and basic OSINT and Google Earth skills. By the end of the session, one of our participants had uploaded a map tracking the movement of North Korean troops in Russia to their website! The final session was dedicated to digital security, which is an upskilling opportunity for everyone, as Russia, China, and Iran intensify their cyberattacks worldwide.

Svitlana Ovcharenko, editor of the “Vpered” newspaper (Bakhmut):

• The research findings were somewhat unexpected. I thought I knew well what my readers needed, but it turned out that this was not entirely the case. I understand the next steps and what tools I am going to needed.

Tetiana Luchynska, editor of the “Mayak” newspaper (Bohodukhiv):

• I have concluded that we will use both the research findings and the information search tools to find information on budget expenditures.

Natalia Kobzar, editor, Status Quo News Agency (Kharkiv):

• Special thanks for the research. In these three years of full-scale invasion, I have not encountered thorough studies, for example, of Kharkiv. I read national ones, and they are quite monotypical. Learning something local was very interesting and useful for us as media. Thanks also for the atmosphere at the training, the feeling that you are not alone in facing your problems.

Oleksandr Kulbaka, editor of the “Visti” newspaper (Sloviansk):

• We learned great investigative reporting tools. Already now I am determined to write something, and I have outlined several topics for myself. It is also very important that we can publish some parts of the sociological research in our media – this is interesting not only to us but also to our readers.

The training was held as part of the “Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine” project, which IRMI has been implementing in partnership with Fondation Hirondelle with financial support from Swiss Solidarity.

How do the media, editorial teams, and audiences, divided by the war, rebuild their relationships? How do we learn about the newly emerged information needs and social cleavages? These questions were addressed at a roundtable in Kyiv, where the findings of the sociological research “Reconnecting Audiences: Understanding the Role of Local Media in Promoting Social Cohesion” were presented and discussed. The research focused on 23 hromadas the grantees of the “Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine” project come from.

The roundtable gathered journalists, embassy representatives, donor organizations, and experts. The focus of the research, and thus the discussion, was on social cohesion, which tends to be growing into a pressing need for Ukrainian society, and on the role the media can play in strengthening social cohesion and in bridging the divides. How can the media operate under conditions of hromadas’ forced mobility? How do the media meet the demand for quality journalism and critical updates during wartime? How to close coverage gaps?

The research involved 49 focus group interviews and surveyed 2,391 respondents. Besides the general report, each editorial team received a report for each of the target hromadas. There was  an important educational component to the research. The grantee newsrooms were involved in developing the research tools and discussing the research process at each stage of the initiative. The project aims to bring editorial teams closer to their communities, regularly studying their problems and needs. Concurrently during the training sessions the grantees learned to make use of the existing sociological tools to be applied at their workplace.

Key discussion topics included people’s attitudes towards social cohesion, the lack of full-fledged public dialogue, including engagement with the government, and the need for solution journalism. There was also talk about boosting critical thinking to be able to recognize fakes, etc. The journalists found themselves exposed to unexpected findings that were at odds with their assumptions about public opinion and social media discussions. However, the main takeaway was the relatively high trust in local media compared to national media and the need for more hromada-focused local news.

Trust breeds accountability. Therefore, a brainstorming session was held during the training that started immediately after the roundtable. Proposals were developed to adjust strategies and thematic plans based on the research findings. Not only should topics related to social cohesion take a prominent place, but also actions aimed at greater social responsibility of the media, improving communications with audiences, and more effective engagement with hromadas.

Mogens Schmidt, IRMI Chairman:

• The highly qualified report on the role local media can play in social cohesion was translated into editorial strategy and journalistic practice. Community building, public dialogue, and countering misinformation and disinformation are its key elements. I am impressed by the diligence, resilience, and courage of the journalists, most of whom represent local front line media. Despite this, they constantly strive to improve and serve their audience as best they can.

Sandra Fontaine, Program Manager at the Irondelle Foundation:

• Trust is the foundation of this process. As the research shows, while hromadas have a high level of trust in local media, they still expect more from the media, especially in combating disinformation, propaganda, and hate speech. I would like to express special thanks to the “Operational Sociology” research team and our twenty-three media partners who recognized the potential of this project and contributed to the preparation of the final research. May it serve as a practical tool and editorial compass that enhances the newsrooms’ social mission and promotes the development of an inclusive, participatory democracy where no Ukrainian citizen is left behind.

Oleksandra Deineko, Project Researcher:

• The research serves as  a “roadmap” of some kind for local media to reconnect with their audiences during wartime. It has a practical component and provides a list of topics that local media can develop to enhance social cohesion in their hromadas, as well as highlights topics that are not sufficiently communicated at the local level. We hope that the findings will inform the media strategies of the project’s partners in the future.

The research has been published and can be useful to anyone interested in social cohesion and the role of the media in social cohesion enhancement. The roundtable and training on implementing its results are part of the “Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine” project IRMI has been implementing together with Fondation Hirondelle with the financial support of Swiss Solidarity.

Two of our media partners have received international JTI certificates. Congratulations to the editorial teams of ‘MykVisti’ (Mykolaiv) and NA ‘Status Quo’ (Kharkiv). These are the first of more than 20 of our partner regional and hyper-local publications that have completed the self-assessment stage and submitted applications for audit. All these media outlets are grantees of the ‘Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine’ project, carried out by IRMI and Fondation Hirondelle and supported by Swiss Solidarity.

Preparation for certification has been one of the key components of the project. This part of the work was supported by Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders / RSF and comprised monthly consultations for the newsrooms and training.

Oleg Derenyuga, editor of ‘MykVisti’:

– We started this journey in July 2023, when we first filled out the transparency report. The independent audit confirmed our compliance with journalism trust standards, which means we are a reliable source of information. Consultations and training organized by IRMI and Fondation Hirondelle played a special role in our preparation for the audit, helping us get ready for this important process.

‘MykVisti’ journalists continually adapt to audience needs, learning new techniques and tackling relevant topics. The website has been updated for better user experience, leading to increased traffic. Foreign publications are purchasing the editorial team’s licensed photos, with one such photo even making it onto a city day postage stamp.

Natalia Kobzar, editor of Status Quo news agency, shared that certification formalized many understood but unsystematized practices into clear rules, instructions, and policies.

-The audit process highlighted that journalistic standards are not just a philosophical guide but involve specific policies, website structures, content presentation methods, staff interaction rules, attitudes toward content and readers, and protocols for working with authorities and founders. The audit brought focus and clarity to previously vague areas. The Status Quo editorial team is grateful to IRMI and Fondation Hirondelle for their support during the audit process.

Self-assessment is a crucial certification step where each editorial team needs to view itself objectively, asking the same questions the audience might consider when deciding whether to trust the media outlet. This process is not just for the audit but to align practices with the declared standards.

Angelina Soldatenko, IRMI Director,

– To be in demand and independent, media must meet society’s expectations for quality journalism, honesty, and transparency. This focus is integral to our training and consultation efforts. Quality breeds trust, which is essential for the mission of journalism – to provide access to information and foster important decision-making, especially during times of war and information aggression. The successful certification of both editorial teams is a testament to this. We anticipate that other grantees that have done self-assessment and applied for the audit will also prove to be reliable sources of information.

Bertrand Mossia, JTI’s public relations and organizational development manager, believes:

-Hyper-local, local, and regional media play a fundamental role in society because they directly influence its functioning. The JTI certificates recently awarded to ‘MykVisti’ and ‘Status Quo’ serve as an official guarantee to society, particularly in Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions, that these editorial teams work in the public interest. They deserve the trust and respect of the audience, government authorities, commercial partners, and many others.

Congratulations to our colleagues! Stay a reliable source of information that enriches people’s lives, also after the Victory.