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UNESCO and IWPR train Ukrainian journalists in conflict reporting
A diverse group of 14 journalists from various cities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Khmelnytsky, Kamianske, Lviv and Kharkiv have participated in the training since January.
The goal of the activity was to increase the resilience of journalists in Ukraine and give them the tools needed to report on threats to media workers and attacks on freedom of expression and the media. The programme offered financial support, legal guidance and editorial mentorship, emphasizing conflict-sensitive reporting and journalist safety.
Despite difficult circumstances, such as air attacks on energy infrastructure and conducting trainings in bomb shelters, the journalists collaborated on joint investigations.
The reporting, produced as part of the editorial mentorship, included podcasts, videos, written investigations and discussion events, covering topics ranging from kidnappings, to press freedom, to corruption, impunity for crimes against journalists and the situation of female media workers during the war. 
Strengthening the capacities of journalists to safely exercise their profession, and supporting independent investigative reporting, also on issues concerning the safety of media professionals, are key to enable press freedom and a safer operating environment.
The materials produced as part of the project reached an audience of over 350,000 people, contributing to the documenting of threats to journalists and facilitating access to verified, credible and independent information.
In the context of the project, I began to research the story of the abduction and illegal detention of Ukrainian journalist Serhiy Tsyhypa. The support and mentoring helped me to work on the topic in more depth with knowledge of the nuances of both Ukrainian and international law. The article was read and commented on by many readers. Ukrainian publications were interested in my article and reprinted it. Now I continue to write about new cases on the same topic and continue working on the case of Tsygipa.
Since February 2022, UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists has recorded the deaths of 12 journalists and media workers, primarily while reporting from the frontlines. Others have been injured, arbitrarily detained, kidnapped or tortured. Independent information during times of war is crucial for saving lives, and investigative journalism plays a critical role in exposing human rights abuses, including crimes against journalists, and combating impunity.
In a world awash with disinformation and increasing attacks on the free press, it is immensely important to investigate and highlight the threats facing journalists in Ukraine and beyond, simply for doing their job. IWPR is proud to partner with UNESCO in helping deploy the power of investigative reporting to shine a spotlight on the many ways journalists are facing threats: from censorship and access restrictions to physical attacks.
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This project, funded by Japan and the Global Media Defence Fund, is part of UNESCO’s emergency response to enhance the safety of journalists in Ukraine, which includes physical safety training, legal assistance and psychological support. Through this initiative, more than 1,700 journalists have been trained, over 40 media outlets received energy equipment and more than 200 journalists received protective equipment and financial grants. The Organization aims to promote independent, humanitarian and lifesaving reporting, foster collaborative investigative journalism and ensure the sustainability of media outlets in the country. 
