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.
