This Lviv-based Mobile Journalism (MOJO) training kicked off on March 8, and by a wonderful coincidence, the current group consisted exclusively of female journalists – a perfect opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day through professional development.
We began by exploring the possibilities MOJO offers to media outlets and how to use them effectively. Participants studied basic principles of framing and editing, constructing the perfect interview shot, and techniques for capturing illustrative footage.
We discussed content development with interviews as the primary tool. Training participants practiced conducting interviews on sensitive and relevant topics, applying professional standards while considering the specifics of working in emergency conditions. The hands-on experience of filming interviews and illustrative videos was particularly valuable, especially learning efficient and quick editing techniques.
Anna Kravchuk from misto.media (Lutsk) shares: “Although I worked in television as a journalist, I now understand the comprehensive work of a videographer. When we arrived at shoots, I would simply say – we need to film this and that. I never considered how many factors need attention – lighting, background, noise. Where I should stand and why. Now I understand what to know before turning on the camera. It’s challenging when you do everything yourself – developing the idea, filming, editing, and recording voiceovers. But afterward, you feel proud that you can accomplish so much independently and with quality – creating content that genuinely interests and engages viewers. This experience is invaluable.”
A significant portion of the training was dedicated to practical work: participants practiced advanced filming techniques, learned to create professional stand-ups, and mastered video editing skills. Each participant created a short video story exploring various aspects of social cohesion in Lviv – from the city’s history and residents to current social issues. Discussing the results – identifying successes and challenges – and selecting the best stories formed an equally important part of the learning process.
Irada Akhadova from Odesa’s “Life Compass” noted that her previous work lacked technical nuance: “You film and edit, but the final product doesn’t look cohesive,” says Ms. Akhadova. “You don’t understand the problem or where mistakes occurred. Or something bothers you about the story, but you can’t identify what exactly. At this training, I learned the nuances I was missing. This knowledge gives you a clear understanding of what your final product should achieve.”
Marianna Shkavron from the Horodok TV and Radio Press Center (Khmelnytskyi region) had long wanted to learn filming techniques: “I had some experience – colleagues showed me things, but these were all disconnected fragments. Now the puzzle has come together. This was my first experience with comprehensive story preparation from start to finish. Very interesting.”
“Journalists, especially from frontline territories, have very few opportunities to learn something new today,” comments Darina Melnychuk from MykVisti (Mykolaiv). “Even just to switch off and rest is difficult. Thank you for the new knowledge and also for this retreat. The opportunity to meet colleagues and exchange experiences was invaluable.” The training was conducted as part of the project “Covering Social Cohesion – Strengthening the Capacities of Ukrainian Media,” developed and implemented by the NGO “Institute for Regional Media and Information” in partnership with UNESCO and with the support of Japan. The program is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to support the safety of journalists and freedom of speech in Ukraine. Our partners in the project are the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the NGO “Promotion of Intercultural Cooperation.”
