LMF Journalist Networks Support
Within the framework of this project, the team of NGO “Lviv Media Forum” worked in two directions: the “Ukrainian Media Network for Countering Disinformation” and the information centre for displaced journalists (Lviv Media Hub).
Ukrainian Media Network for Countering Disinformation
The project aimed to provide institutional and financial support to 10 Ukrainian newsrooms, and strengthen their ability to produce quality content, to effectively counter disinformation in the Ukrainian information field.
The thematic focus of the project: war stories — people of war — consequences of war — losses of war — heroes of war — the truth of war — future after the war. Participation in the network also includes improving the technical ability of the media to counter cyber attacks and work successfully on various social media platforms and messengers.
10 Ukrainian local newsrooms became members of the network: Zaхid.net (Lviv), The first channel of social news (Lutsk), Course (Ivano-Frankivsk), VeZha (Vinnytsia), Zhytomyr.info (Zhytomyr), The first Kryvyi Rih (Kryvyi Rih), 061 (Zaporizhia), Shpalta (Chernivtsi), Fourth Estate (Rivne), Varosh (Uzhhorod).
To create content, editorial boards cooperated with professional mentors:
- Igor Balynskyy — media expert, co-founder of the publishing house “Choven” and School of Journalism of the Ukrainian Catholic University, coordinator of the Center for Communication Research and Analytics Networks;
- Zoya Krasovska — media researcher, analyst of NGO “Lviv Media Forum”;
- Anna Ginn — journalist and writer. As a publicist, she regularly collaborates with various Ukrainian newsrooms.
From March to September 2022, the editorial boards worked on and published 240 pieces. The total coverage of the project is over 10 000 000.
The project is an extension of the West Ukrainian Media Network For Countering Disinformation which started in August 2021 with 4 media from Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia and Lviv regions (Course, Shpalta, Varosh, Zaxid.net).
Information centre for journalists who had to leave their homes
The project foreshowed the creation of a centre in Lviv for journalists seeking any assistance. The hub became a reliable shelter for media professionals who moved to Lviv. As a result, Lviv Media Forum provided temporary shelter, from March to September, for several dozen people, while searching for long-term options.
Subsequently, the hub will serve as a workplace for journalists. These initiatives support professionals who work under pressure and experience professional burnout. More about Lviv Media Hub.
“LMF Journalist Network Support” Project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).