Institute of Mass Information opens Mediabazas in Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy

Illustration by the IMI

The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) has opened regional Mediabazas for journalists in two new cities: Cherkasy and Khmelnytskyi. From now on, the journalist hubs operate in 15 oblasts of Ukraine.

“By expanding the Mediabaza network, we are helping journalists take action — to ask questions, document crimes committed by the Russians, help implement reforms, and defend the voices of those who cannot be heard. At a time when regional media are facing constant storms — from shelling and blackouts, through the challenges of information warfare, to economic and financial hardship — the Mediabazas are becoming points of support and spaces of safety. They not only provide access to necessary resources, but also become centers where independent journalism develops, which, in turn, bolsters Ukraine’s democratic institutions,” commented IMI director Oksana Romaniuk.

The Khmelnytskyi Mediabaza will be run by the head of the  NGO Women’s Anti-Corruption Movement, ZHAR.INFO journalist Olha Zahoruyko.

“We are here to help people learn something new, to study, broaden horizons, share experience, hold workshops, trainings, interactive meetings. 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,” said Olha Zahoruyko.

The Cherkasy Mediabaza will be run by Olena Shchepak, co-founder of the media outlet 18000, representative of the Institute of Mass Information in Cherkasy oblast.

“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,” said Olena Shchepak.

What are IMI Mediabazas

The  Mediabazas are a network of regional hubs for journalists that the Institute of Mass Information created in the fall of 2022 to support the work of independent media professionals amid Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine. At the Mediabazas, media workers can receive free safety gear, training, work with access to electricity and Internet connection, etc.

At the Mediabazas, journalists can:

• borrow bulletproof vests, helmets, first-aid kits, and other equipment;
• attend trainings, meetings, or other events;
• find a work space with stable power supply and Internet connection.

To use a hub's services, contact the Mediabaza in your region by texting the hub coordinator or messaging the hub’s Facebook page.

• 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;
• Mediabaza Khmelnytskyi – Olha Zahoruiko;
• Mediabaza Cherkasy– Yeliena Shchepak.

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 call the national Mediabaza coordinator Pavlo Lisnychenko at 050 594 20 58 or write an email to [email protected].