“It is a crime to underestimate the contribution of ukrainian journalists to the coverage of this war”, says IMI expert

It is a crime to underestimate the contribution of Ukrainian journalists to the coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine, as Iryna Zemlyana, a media expert and security coach at the Institute of Mass Information said.

She said this interviewed by Hromadske Radio on the dangers of the journalist's work and the underestimation of Ukrainian media workers.

According to Iryna Zemlyana, without the help of Ukrainian journalists, foreigners can do absolutely nothing.

"Currently, Ukrainian journalists who work as fixeurs for foreign media are doing their main job. Without them, foreign journalists in Ukraine can do absolutely nothing. They do not know the situation, the language, they cannot solve problems quickly, because in conditions of war it is quite difficult.

It is especially important now for all journalists in Ukraine to unite and turn to Fox News to recognize Oleksandra Kuvshynova, who died in force of professional duty, as part of the Fox News team. After all, she was with them in the same car, on the same task", - said the media expert.

She noted that the entire Fox News camera crew was in the same danger, but the channel does not admit, in fact, that Olexandra Kuvshynova worked for them.

"They were all in the same danger. But for some reason, Fox News says it's not their team, it's just advising them. Even though she had a press card from Fox News that she couldn't do on her own, of course. It is critical for us now to demand that Olexandra be recognized as part of the team and that full compensation be paid to her family. Then it will be fair!”, as Zemlyana said.

In addition, the media expert drew attention to the social insecurity of Ukrainian fixers who help foreign media.

“The foreign TV crews that are here have huge insurances, guarantees and salaries. What do ours have? Ukrainian journalists are very short of all this. In addition, foreign fixers leave the country after work. After being in a state of increased danger for two or three months, they are forced to rotate due to their psychological state. Ukrainians remain in the country, continue to work and are responsible for the materials of foreign journalists. Unfortunately, the editorial offices do not appreciate this", she said.

Iryna Zemlyana called on Ukrainian journalists to take care of themselves: “We need to defend our rights. I know it's hard. But we must demand as much as possible. "

Ukrainian journalists-fixeurs in this war:

-producers;

-security experts;

-journalists;

-ordinary people who help and solve problems.

As IMI reported, on March 14, Pierre Zakrzewski, a cameraman for Fox News, an Irish citizen, and Ukrainian filmmaker, journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova, were killed during artillery shelling of Russian troops in the village of Horenka, Kyiv region.

On March 14, it became known that Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall was injured in the legs while preparing a report near Kyiv.

On March 13, in Irpin, Kyiv region, the Russian military killed Brent Renaud, a former journalist with The New York Times. His colleague, photojournalist Juan Arredondo, is injured and is in the Okhmatdyt hospital in Kyiv