The Independent Regional Publishers Association of Ukraine, a trusted partner for over a hundred regional media outlets for many years, has initiated a significant collaboration with Finnish partners to support independent Ukrainian newsrooms. Leading Finnish media organizations, including Helsingin Sanomat, Lapin Kansa, and JSN, together with News Media Finland, have joined this joint project to provide their expert support in strengthening Ukrainian regional media.
— It is important to note that our Finnish colleagues have extensive experience in building independent journalism and self-regulation. We are incredibly grateful for their contribution to this upcoming project. The main goal of this collaboration is to assist Ukrainian media in developing self-regulation processes, fostering professional ethics, and improving business models in the exceptionally challenging realities of wartime. Project participants from regional newsrooms will have the opportunity to undergo training, exchange experiences, and participate in study tours to Helsingin Sanomat in Helsinki and Lapin Kansa in Lapland, — said Oksana Brovko, Director of the Association.
The project, funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will run for the next two years.
— This project is crucial for our survival and development. The war has not only destroyed infrastructure but has also profoundly impacted our media. The need for reliable information is greater than ever, and we are grateful to our Finnish partners for supporting our newsrooms, — emphasized Oksana Brovko.
The project will not only help Ukrainian media adapt to new conditions but also facilitate an exchange of experiences with Finnish colleagues. This partnership will provide new opportunities for innovative development within the Ukrainian journalism community, ensuring the preservation of independent voices in local communities.
— We are immensely thankful for the opportunity to contribute Finnish expertise in independent journalism and practical self-regulation experience to this vital assistance project. Our partners have significant experience in building and maintaining the reliability of news media. Undoubtedly, we can also learn valuable lessons from our Ukrainian colleagues, — said Jukka Holmberg, CEO of News Media Finland.
— We want to help Ukrainian media strengthen their independence and self-regulation, which are the foundations of trust in Finnish media. Our Ukrainian colleagues work under extremely difficult conditions, and we are ready to share all our professional experience to support them in these challenging times. Strong local media in any country is also a key tool in fighting corruption, — said JSN Eero Hyvönen, Editor-in-Chief of Helsingin Sanomat.
Sauli Pahkasalon, Editor-in-Chief of Lapin Kansa, drew historical parallels: «Eighty years ago, the war devastated Lapland, and we had to rebuild everything from scratch. Therefore, we deeply understand how important it is to support our Ukrainian colleagues who are working under similar conditions. We are pleased to join this essential project. While the project focuses on Ukrainian independent news media, we can also learn from them, particularly about working in extreme conditions».
