2024 in IMI Mediabazas: new hubs, training in AI and high-quality videos

The work of Mediabazas in 2024

Besides ChatGPT, other services may be helpful:

• Claude – same as ChatGPT, but using a different model;
• Gemini – a version by Google;
• ZeroGPT – allows you to check text for AI use;
• Pinpoint – allows media professionals to work with many text files and transcribe video or audio files;
• Vizard – allows you to upload audio for transcription;
• Рerplexity – can be used as a base of information for your reporting.

AI training class at Mediabaza Chernihiv, photo by Mediabaza Chernihiv

Coach Oleksiy Minakov adds some more useful resources to this list:

• Easy Peasy API: a tool for generating headlines, improving SEO and rewriting texts that can be integrated into a website's admin panel.
  
• Pinpoint by Google: a tool for transcribing audio and video files, as well as searching for information in journalistic content.
• Transkriptor: a service for transcribing audio and video files into text, which makes working on text reporting easier.
  
• Filmot: a service to search for videos mentioning a certain word or phrase.

However, do not forget to label AI generated content, be mindful of its hallucinations and always verify important information.

Participants of the training class "Journalism of the future: Law, protection, and AI". Photo by Mediabaza Chernivtsi

"For me it was a very helpful class which, unlike most I've attended, really gave me a lot of useful information. I hope three will be more such events for journalists," says the class' participant Veronica Polyakova, who works for the Odesa media project More Lyudey.

Media professionals and TikTok

Social media, especially short-form video platforms that are so popular nowadays, are another important tool in the work of media professionals. These were discussed in the Mediabazas of Zaporizhzhia, Chernivtsi, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, and Odesa. So how do you make viral videos?

The stories that gain traction on TikTok are usually about:

• extraordinary news; 
• investigations; 
• analysis on important topics;
• emotionally charged reports; 
• people's stories;
• surveys;
• discoveries and inventions.

Angelina Lomakina, Radio Liberty social media producer, TikTok editor, media coach. Photo by Detector Media

You need to think carefully about the opening of the video, because the first two or three seconds are critical in capturing the viewer's attention. A successful story should evoke emotion, make the world make more sense or show the viewer that they are not alone.

For a successful frame composition, follow these principles:

• The more light, the better;
• Divide the frame into three parts. The main objects should be at the intersection of the lines;
• Avoid oversaturation;
• Make sure your background is clean and minimalist;
• Give the object space so that they do not look "squeezed in".

Training participants. Photo by Mediabaza Odesa/Kherson

To quickly edit videos on your phone, try these apps:

• VN 
• Videoleap 
• CupCut

Captions, Verba, or Liro can be used to add subtitles and Adobe Podcast makes good work of clearing up audio.

Safety above all

And, of course, we can not forget about personal safety. Training classes in Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Poltava, and Slovyansk discussed working in areas near the battlefield, avoiding personal data leaks, and providing first aid.

Soldiers from separate airmobile brigade No. 81 teach journalists to use tourniquets. Photo by the separate airmobile brigade No. 81 press officer

Here are the key points to keep in mind while in a combat area:

• Always carry personal safety gear on you: a bulletproof vest, a helmet, certified tourniquets and an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). You can borrow these at any Mediabaza.
• Only move along routes authorized by the military and follow your guide.
• Carefully watch your feet, do not step on anything and do not touch any objects on the ground: even a cigarette pack can contain a mine.
• If you are traveling by car, drive around bottles or other objects lying on the road; make sure they are to the side from your car and not between the wheels. The object may have a motion sensor or a seismic sensor that will respond to metal.
• If you step on a mine, immediately call the soldiers for help. They are trained to handle such situations. If you see a mine, tell the soldiers where you saw it and describe how it looks but do not get close, because the sensor may go off.

What is most crucial, as IMI expert Oleksandr Ruban emphasized during his class at the Chernihiv Mediabaza, is to have a key contact. Every media professional going into a combat area must have one. This is a person who will know the entire route, stay in touch 24/7 and will know what to do in emergency situations.

Oleksandr Ruban gives the training class "Battlefield reporting: real experience and practical advice". Photo by Mediabaza Chernihiv

“They (the key contact, — Ed.) must handle all aspects of the communication protocol, has to keep a list of all crew members with their contact details, blood type, next of kin and life-affirming questions. In addition, they should monitor the safety situation in the area where the crew is working and send related notifications,” said Oleksandr Ruban.

When it comes to cyber security, experts advise:

• use complex passwords;
• use licensed software and consistently update it;
• regularly make backup copies and store them on external devices;
• do not use online banking via open networks in cafes, bars, airports and other public spaces;
• do not click on dubious links;
• do not connect other people's flash drives and external drives to your PC;
• always check the spelling of website names to avoid landing on a phishing site;
• do not send money as an advance payment for goods.

Training participants. Photo by Alyona Chorna

"Such training helps me, as a journalist, to protect myself and my work in the digital space. In an environment where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is important to understand how to avoid falling into the hackers' traps," says class participant Maria Bodnarashek.

Mediabazas at work during blackouts

In 2024, journalists continued to be affected by Russian shelling and the resulting blackouts. However, Mediabazas allowed them to work even during unscheduled power shortages thanks to their autonomous power supply.

Kharkiv during a blackout: journalists working at the IMI Mediabaza. Photo by Ihor Leptuha

Some 25 journalists visited Mediabaza Kharkiv following the March 22 mass shelling strike. Mediabaza Odesa/Kherson also saw many visitors, as the energy infrastructure in the South sustained significant damage as well. On August 26, when Russian troops targeted Ukraine's energy system again, over 10 media professionals were able to work at Mediabaza Zhytomyr. Espreso TV employees found a place to work at Mediabaza Zaporizhzhia, and 3 media outlets in Chernihiv received alternative power supply equipment from the local Mediabaza.

Journalists working at the Mediabaza Zhytomyr hub after the August 26 missile strike. Photo by Mediabaza Zhytomyr

"The Mediabazas are points of 'journalistic invincibility' that have electricity and the Internet," says IMI director Oksana Romaniuk. Scroll to the end of this article to learn how you can get power equipment from the Mediabazas.

Bulletproof vests, helmets, first aid kits – all available at Mediabazas

The Mediabazas actively distributed safety gear to journalists, especially those working near the border or the battlefield. In Sumy oblast, bulletproof vests, helmets, and first aid kits from the local Mediabaza were used by staff of Kordon.Media, My – Ukraina TV, and Trybuna.

The Guardian journalists and Mediabaza Sumy team. Photo by Mediabaza Sumy

Requests were coming from foreign colleagues as well. Journalists with Finland's YLE contacted Mediabaza Kharkiv to ask for equipment and have already released the story about their trip. Italian journalist Jozsef Makai requested a bulletproof vest from Mediabaza Odesa/Kherson.

YLE reporter in safety gear provided by Mediabaza Kharkiv. Photo by Mediabaza Kharkiv

 Italian journalist Jozsef Makai in a bulletproof vest provided by the Mediabaza. Photo by Mediabaza Odesa/Kherson

Mediabaza services were also used by employees of RTVE Radio Television Espanola, Les Echos, LExpress, Radio France international, TV3 Televizija, Incendie Films, Agence France Presse,  al-ʿArabiyyah, Norsk Rikskringkasting, ZDF, Sky News, Ekstra Bladet, , Onet.pl, Times, EL PAÍS, The Guardian, France 24, The New York Times, Anadolu Agency, ABC News, TV4, The Sun, etc.

Mediabaza network expanding

Another 2024 achievement is Mediabazas opening in 4 more regions. Hubs in Slovyansk and Chernivtsi operate in partnership with the NGO Maye Sens. Mediabaza Chernivtsi offers a space to record podcasts and Mediabaza Slovyansk provides equipment for filming or streaming video or audio content. In December, the network was joined by Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy, so now you can visit us in as many as 15 oblasts.

Podcast recroding studio at Mediabaza Chernivtsi. Photo by Mediabaza Chernivtsi

“The blackouts have become a real challenge for local journalists. Not everyone has power equipment that would allow them to work during blackouts. That is how the idea of ​​opening a Mediabaza in Cherkasy arose – a hub that would be a convenient work space and, most importantly, have independent power supply. We also plan to use the space to for training classes for media professionals featuring invited speakers and to hold discussions on topics relevant to the oblast,” says Mediabaza Cherkasy coordinator Olena Shchepak.

Mediabaza Cherkasy received first aid kits, CAT tourniquets, hemostatic bandages from the IMI. Photo by Kateryna Andriychuk

"Our ambitious plans include becoming a platform for communication with public authorities, the media community and all people related to the media field. We also want to train a new generation of media professionals, help them with internships, because there is a serious need for personnel nowadays,” adds Mediabaza Khmeknytskyi coordinator Olha Zahoruyko.

Olha Zahoruyko and Alyona Bereza at the opening of Mediabaza Khmelnytskyi. Photo by Maria Turchyna

Participants in the Mediabaza Khmelnytskyi opening event. Photo by Maria Turchyna

The Mediabazas offer:

• A warm office with autonomous power supply that you can use during blackouts or in case you need a comfortable work space while traveling or filming a news story.
• Access to high-speed Internet even during power outages.
• A space for classes, meetings, and other events. This applies to the classes organized by the Mediabazas as well as events organized by regional media outlets.
• Bulletproof vests, helmets, first-aid kits, and other equipment to be borrowed free of charge.

“The year proved difficult for the media community. However, we did everything we could to support and help our colleagues. We grew quality-wise, by finding the best coaches for the most relevant classes, and quantity-wise, by opening four more hubs. But we are not stopping there, because the goal is not just to support, but also to consolidate the media community,” says Pavlo Lisnychenko, the Mediabaza network coordinator.

First media forum by Mediabaza Chernihiv

We would also like to mention a few events that were significant for us. We managed to gather over 45 journalists from Chernihiv, Sumy, and Zhytomyr oblasts at the first Chernihiv media forum. We discussed the issues with access to the border area, the staff shortage in deoccupied communities, and the problem of replacing media workers who have been drafted into the army.

The media forum in Chernihiv. Photos by Vladyslav Saveniuk

The forum participants concluded that there is a need to introduce a transparent queue and a clear procedure for journalists to be admitted to POW swaps, as regional media outlets currently have no access to such events. The three hour rule should also be reconsidered, seeing as the situation has changed since 2022 and it is now important for journalists to report quicker. In the spring of 2022, media professionals agreed with representatives of the Defense Ministry and the then Ministry of Culture and Information Policy that media workers have the right to report on missile hits targeting civilian objects with a three hour delay.

Pavlo Pushchenko, regional IMI coordinator in Chernihiv oblast. Photo by Vladyslav Saveniuk

For Chernihiv, the media forum was the first event of its kind, with journalists gathering to discuss issues, share experiences, and get to know their colleagues. After all, previously Chernihiv oblast media workers were only brought together by state institutions to present diplomas and awards, which is not a very suitable format for professional journalism.

Paid internships for students by Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi

Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi hosted two rounds of the Media School – an educational project offering students an opportunity to gain experience working in the media even before graduation.

Hrechka journalist Iryna Trebunskykh during a Media School class in Kropyvnytskyi. Photo by Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi

“Thanks to this program we seem to have found a social media manager for our team, so this project is definitely needed as another way to resolve the local media's staffing problems," says Tochka Dostupu editor Olha Zyma about the project's first round.

In the second round, the organizers added even more practice for the participants.

Participants in the project Media School 2.0, launched by the IMI journalism hub Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi in October. Photo by Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi

The first Media School took place in the spring and showed us that this model of attracting employees to the media works. We hope that at the end of Media School 2.0, the participants will find employment and work with the media in the future. During the training sessions, the young people attending have the opportunity to get in closer contact with editors and learn about job offers and the profession's nuances. This promotes interest in working in the media. Plus, this time we have provided pleasant financial incentives for the best participants in the project,” says Pavlo Lisnychenko, Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi coordinator.

Pavlo Lisnychenko, Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi coordinator. Photo by Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi

How to visit the IMI Mediabazas

To use a Mediabaza's services, message the hub’s coordinator on Facebook:

• Mediabaza Khmelnytskyi – Olha Zahoruiko;
• Mediabaza Cherkasy– Yeliena Shchepak;
• Mediabaza Zhytomyr – Oksana Trokoz;
• Mediabaza Chernihiv – Pavlo Pushchenko;
• Mediabaza Kharkiv – Olha Kaplun;
• Mediabaza Poltava – Nadia Kucher;
• Mediabaza Dnipro – Kateryna Lysiuk;
• Mediabaza Zaporizhzhia – Natalia Vyhovska;
• Mediabaza Kropyvnytskyi – Pavlo Lisnychenko;
• Mediabaza Mykolaiv – Kateryna Sereda;
• Mediabaza Sumy – Alyona Yatsyna;
• Mediabaza Odesa, Kherson – Serhiy Nikitenko;
• Mediabaza Slovyansk – Valeriy Harmash;
• Mediabaza Chernivtsi – Taisia Harmash.

Please note that:

• in Kherson, the Mediabaza only issues equipment;
• in Slovyansk, you can use the Mediabaza equipment to film and broadcast video and audio materials;
• in Chernivtsi, you can record podcasts at the Mediabaza.

If necessary, you can contact the national Mediabaza coordinator Pavlo Lisnychenko by:

• calling 050 594 20 58
• or writing to [email protected].

If you need safety gear (bulletproof vest, helmet, first aid kit) or some other equipment, contact the coordinator in your region or fill in this Google form.

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The work of the IMI Mediabaza network was made possible with the help from the USA Embassy in Ukraine and the Internews Network project, supported by USAID. The Institute of Mass Information is sincerely grateful for a chance not just to ensure the survival of Ukrainian journalism in wartime, but to develop it by making the community stronger, supporting regional media outlets and creating a space for learning and capability building. We are now looking for new opportunities and resources to continue the Mediabazas' operations and help journalists to work safely, efficiently, and well. We believe that together we can do even more for independent journalism in Ukraine!

Written by Kateryna Andriychuk