Resilience is when «impossible» doesn’t stop you — it inspires you. This is exactly what Ukraine’s independent regional media prove every day, as they bravely continue their work under shelling and against all odds for more than three years of full-scale war. The voice of truth does not fall silent — it echoes loudly across the world.
Ukraine’s independent press has been named the laureate of the prestigious international Golden Pen of Freedom Award 2025 — an annual award for press freedom presented since 1961 by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum (WEF).
Oksana Brovko, CEO of AIRPPU, accepted the award on behalf of the Ukrainian journalistic community during the opening of the World News Media Congress 2025 in Krakow on May 4.
Resilience Under Fire: Ukrainian Independent Press honored with the Golden Pen of Freedom 2025 Award
The award is presented annually during the opening ceremony of the WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress, which brings together journalists, publishers, media executives, and press freedom advocates from around the globe. And this year, it was Ukraine’s voice that echoed from that global stage.
For the first time, the organizers recognized not just excellence in media business or innovation in content — but resilience: the unwavering ability to endure under extraordinary pressure.
This recognition stands as a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian journalism in the face of full-scale war.
In its official statement, WAN-IFRA emphasized that Ukrainian media professionals have shown «an unwavering commitment to press freedom in exceptionally dramatic times».
Oksana Brovko, as the leader of one of Ukraine’s key media associations, has played an essential role in supporting her colleagues throughout the war.
The Association «Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine» (AIRPPU) is a network of trust, solidarity, and development — a lifeline that helps Ukrainian regional media survive during the hardest times.
As the full-scale war shattered everyday life, broke once-thriving business models, and threatened the very existence of media outlets in frontline areas, AIRPPU continues to seek new ways for these newsrooms not just to survive — but to move forward.
Financial and technical support for over 150 regional newsrooms, the launch of insurance programs for media professionals, new training formats, and growing partnerships with international organizations — all are aimed at protecting the freedom of Ukrainian journalism.
The AIRPPU team is focused not only on strengthening independent voices across the regions, but on securing their independent future. We believe that wherever the voice of truth is heard, there is hope for a resilient, civilized, and democratic society.
— We are not heroes. We are a community that knows how to stand together. And this honorable award is not just about us personally – it is about every journalist in Ukraine who didn’t stop. About every newsroom that held the line. About the trust of the people that we have no right to betray. We stood together when it seemed impossible to go on. And now, our task is not just to endure, but to help the media grow, renew itself, and speak even louder, — said Oksana Brovko, CEO of AIRPPU.
Read the full speech by Oksana Brovko at the World News Media Congress: Golden Pen of Freedom Award Ceremony: Speech by Oksana Brovko
What does resilience look like?
From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian journalists have stood as part of the nation’s strength.
They continue to document war crimes, deliver the truth to the people, and carry out investigations — even when their newsrooms have been destroyed by the enemy and their lives are under constant threat.
From East to West, from South to North, independent voices rise up — they inform, inspire, support, save, and motivate.
The independent print newspaper «Hryvna» continues to publish in unbreakable Kherson, where part of the region remains under occupation. The newsroom was destroyed by russians. Some journalists prepared content in secret while under occupation; others were forced to flee and continue their work from other cities.
In Zaporizhzhia, colleagues at «MIG» still publish and deliver their newspaper to subscribers — even under shelling. In the frontline village of Velyka Pysarivka in the Sumy region, the newspaper «Vorskla» is still being printed. This happens despite shelling, the total destruction of their office, loss of advertising revenue, and the relocation of local businesses and readers.
«Kremenchuk Telegraph» operates under constant threat and continues to develop new business models for survival and sustainability. «Chernihiv Media Group» tirelessly produces unique, impactful content.
There are many such stories of resilience. Behind every Ukrainian journalist today stands a huge effort, personal risk, and sacrifice — all in the name of truth and justice.
That is why the Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU) works every day to make sure these voices are heard.
Through insurance programs, safety trainings, emergency financial support, knowledge exchange, and technical assistance, we strengthen the independent press — because freedom of speech must be loud and unbreakable.
More Than Three Years of Full-Scale War: What AIRPPU Has Achieved
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Association «Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine» (AIRPPU) has been working tirelessly to support regional journalism under the most difficult conditions. Here’s what the team has accomplished:
- Over 150 regional media outlets have taken part in AIRPPU projects.
- 641 journalists from 90 regional media outelts received financial support.
- Under the «Plan B» emergency response, AIRPPU providing now financial support to media outlets affected by the sudden stop in U.S. donor funding. In total, funding are distributing to 50 regional newsrooms at risk of closure.
- 193 journalists and media workers received 1,665 days of insurance coverage.
- More than 30 editorial teams received vital equipment — including power stations, Starlink terminals, laptops, and smartphones.
- Professional study trips were organized for journalists to countries such as Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Spain, fostering global exchange and resilience-building.
- A moving photo exhibition by war correspondent Andriy Dubchak was presented at the WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress in Copenhagen, the largest international media summit.
- AIRPPU facilitated the production of an ABC News Australia documentary about Ukrainian women journalists, featuring editors Nastya Horpynchenko, Svitlana Karpenko, Lesya Lazorenko, and Oksana Brovko.
- A dedicated support program for Ukrainian women journalists provided 20 grants to produce socially impactful content.
- Hosted the Ukrainian Media Congress, bringing together over 100 media professionals from all Ukraine.
- Delivered numerous practical workshops, safety trainings, and conferences to provide essential tools, knowledge, and solidarity for Ukrainian journalists.
This is only a small part of what has been achieved
We thank each and every person who contributed to these initiatives. We believe that our collective efforts are more than a checklist of completed tasks — they are a form of support, growth, and motivation for those who are shaping history.
Today, the work of Ukraine’s regional media is a daily response to new challenges and a fight for the right to speak the truth.
Receiving the Golden Pen of Freedom Award is a significant recognition of the work of the entire Ukrainian media community.
