In the autumn of 2024, the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine's leading English-language publication, together with UNESCO, launched the programme. The programme was designed to train Ukrainian media professionals to report for international audiences in accordance with international journalism standards, so as to increase the quality of English-language coverage from Ukraine.
The voice of Ukrainians has to be the main voice heard in the international discussions about Ukraine
This year, fifty-two Ukrainian journalists and media managers based in Ukraine but also across Europe, and North America, took part in the programme.
The participants were divided into learning tracks based on their specialization: reporting, editing, and media management. Each track provided an in-depth focus on the specific topic, ensuring participants gained the best knowledge and skills in their chosen field. Additionally, all participants attended general track sessions to cover the basics of international journalism.
A total of 55 lectures and workshops were led by international media experts from the Kyiv Independent and partner media organizations such as Dennik N, Reuters, the Guardian, and Radio Liberty.
I think that my expectations were met even better than I expected because we heard from so many experts. I find it very useful because now I know the key differences between Ukrainian and English-language journalism. I was surprised that it differed so much. I'm grateful for the opportunity to study here
In addition to workshops and assignments, trainees pitched their own project ideas to the Kyiv Independent. The three best pitches were implemented by the participants and published on the Kyiv Independent website, as well as social media platforms.
Beyond the course content, the Kyiv Independent also offered four students a month-long internship. During their internships, participants contributed to the Kyiv Independent’s high-quality news coverage in business, investigations, and politics.
I was immediately assigned to write a news story. And this is where the knowledge from J-School came in handy. I literally just opened the presentation of our lecture and used it as a cheat sheet. This news story was my first tiny success because it got 100,000 page views on the Kyiv Independent's website. Joining the business desk at the Kyiv Independent, I'm going to contribute to the least-known topics about Ukraine in the world. I think people abroad need to know, and I personally want to tell them, how our business landscape is shaped here in Ukraine
Two interns have already joined the Kyiv Independent team full-time. Other J-School 2.0 alumni are now considering working with international media organizations and sharing the knowledge gained from the training with colleagues in their respective newsrooms.
The Kyiv Independent's J-School helped me gain confidence in writing in English and reaching English-language media and audiences. Our trainers explained how international media works and which stories are widely read worldwide. Therefore, my next immediate goal in journalism is to publish a feature story in a big English-language outlet. Before J-School, doing such a thing seemed like something very distant
In addition to training journalists to cover stories from Ukraine on the global stage, UNESCO and the Kyiv Independent will support three independent media organizations to improve their business models and the sustainability of their operations.
This project led by UNESCO and The Kyiv Independent was made possible thanks to the generous support of Japan.
