The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy awarded Viktoria Yaslyk, journalist and manager of the Institute of Mass Information’s regional hub Mediabaza Odesa / Kherson, with a letter of appreciation during an outreach session on 13 September in Odesa. She was awarded for her work in the media field and her efforts supporting journalists in Odesa and Kherson oblasts.
Committee members visited the Mediabaza and learned about its work first hand.
“The hub offers a space to work in, protective gear, and technical equipment to journalists, and also hosts professional events and classes. Mediabaza Odesa / Kherson has become a platform supporting Ukrainian and international journalists. In recent years, we’ve delivered safety equipment to hundreds of filming crews working in the south and east of Ukraine,” Mediabaza coordinator Serhiy Nikitenko told the officials.
During the visit, the lawmakers learned about the working conditions faced by regional media professionals and the challenges they encounter in wartime.
The officials were interested in the safety situation in the south and in Kherson. In particular, members of the temporary investigative commission, who also visited the Mediabaza, were interested in journalists’ use of drone detectors.
The visit also involved a discussion of the information landscape of Odesa oblast. Participants spoke about the need for stable Ukrainian TV and radio broadcasting in the districts close to the border, particularly in the southern part of the oblast, as well as about stepping up efforts to combat Russian disinformation.
“We want, first and foremost, to hear from you, and to use your proposals as the basis for drafting the Committee’s recommendations, and to help put them into practice — decisions that both Odesa oblast and Ukraine as a whole need,” said Committee chairman Mykyta Poturaiev.
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For Mediabaza Odesa / Kherson, Viktoria Yaslyk’s award represented recognition of the hub’s work and its team’s contribution to supporting journalists who continue working in Odesa and Kherson oblasts.
“This award was genuinely meaningful to me, because it confirms that we’re doing important work during this difficult time for the country. Together with the Mediabaza Odesa / Kherson team, we help journalists both with consultations and with the necessary equipment. We really try to make sure everyone can head out to their filming location fully equipped with everything they need. And if needed, we’re even ready to issue equipment outside working hours. So knowing that these efforts aren’t in vain, and that they’re being boosted by recognition like this, is an incredibly important outcome and a huge motivation to keep going,” Viktoria Yaslyk said.
