Serhiy Nikitenko: Kherson saw crazy consolidation of the journalist community
The biggest problem faced by journalists in Kherson is safety, as the Russian troops are constantly shelling the city from the occupied territories, said Serhiy Nikitenko, the Institute of Mass Information representative in Kherson oblast and Most chief editor, at the public discussion “Three Years of Resistance: Freedom of Speech in the Face of a Full-Scale Russian Invasion” in Kyiv on February 21.
“There is literally only a handful of media outlets operating in Kherson now. All the others have relocated, closed down, disbanded, or work from other cities. There are about a dozen active journalists left in the city. Some work in shifts, replacing each other, because it is very difficult, psychologically in particular. You can count the media outlets on one hand. Suspilne is working at the limit of their capabilities,” Serhiy Nikitenko said.
He added that journalists have a fraught relationship with local authorities.
“We are experiencing tremendous pressure from the authorities now, the likes of which we did not feel even under Yanukovych. The power in the city and the oblast is amassed in the hands of a few people. And we feel it acutely. It hasn't reached the point of death threats yet. So far, they have offered us money and contracts. They are happy to see us struggling, they expect us to close down. But that won't happen," the journalist said.
At the same time, Nikitenko says, Kherson journalists have rallied together in the face of pressure and danger.
“There is also a positive side: the crazy consolidation of the journalist community. I couldn’t even imagine such a thing. Now it’s like a workshop, a guild consisting of the real fans. If anything can save us, it’s unity. I urge everyone to support regional journalism, it’s very important now,” says Serhiy Nikitenko.
He said that advertising in Most used to make up about 15% of the budget, so the team did not apply for grants until 2022. This year, they plan to cover 10–15% of their budget in ad revenues, but the situation is deteriorating because businesses are closing down and few people live in Kherson.
“That’s why we are developing the community, explaining to people why it’s important to fund independent media, it’s becoming a trend throughout the country, and in Kherson too,” said Nikitenko.
59.2% of media professionals surveyed by the IMI believe that the suspension of US support programs for the media could have catastrophic impact and lead to the closure or significant downsizing of many independent media outlets.
The IMI discussion's agenda:
- Russia has killed 97 media workers in Ukraine in the three years since the start of the full-scale invasion.
- At least 30 civilian Ukrainian media workers are illegally held in Russian custody.
- The Institute of Mass Information recorded at least 127 cases of death threats and intimidation of journalists and the media in the three years of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
- Russia is also responsible for at least 100 cyber attacks on Ukrainian news websites.
The United News telethon has served its purpose and is no longer producing the desired results, believes Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech.
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