A delegation from the Verkhovna Rada visited the Institute of Mass Information’s regional hub Mediabaza Kharkiv on 16 October to learn about its work and the support it offers journalists in wartime. The visit took place as part of an outreach session of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission on Russian Crimes against the Media, reports Yulia Napolska, IMI’s representative in Kharkiv oblast.
During the meeting, the IMI representative explained how the Mediabaza was helping journalists continue their work despite frequent shelling and blackouts. The discussion touched on the impact that the disruptions to power supply, heating, and connectivity have had on the work of newsrooms, especially in winter.
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Napolska said that the Mediabaza had become a place where many journalists could keep working when there were no electricity or other necessary conditions at home or in their newsroom.
The conversation also focused on the state of the Kharkiv media sector: the work of local newsrooms, radio stations, and TV channels, and the difficulties they face because of the war. Some outlets have had to switch offices, downsize, or relocate to other regions.
Support for journalists was also discussed. The Institute of Mass Information provides media workers and newsrooms in the oblast with protective gear and medical equipment for working at air strike sites; drone detectors and power equipment; and also runs classes.
Still, the team conveyed to the delegation that the need for support remained significant not just in terms of buying equipment, but also maintaining it and developing a reliable energy infrastructure that would allow newsrooms to keep working even during prolonged power outages.
The Mediabazas are a network of regional hubs created by the Institute of Mass Information in 2022 to support the work of independent journalists amid Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. The Mediabazas offer journalists free safety equipment, training, a work space with a power supply and Internet connectivity, etc.
The operation of the Institute of Mass Information’s regional Mediabaza hub network is funded by the European Union.
