Kyiv, 23 November 2023 – In a significant effort to promote media literacy among youth, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy (MCIP) of Ukraine, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Government of Japan, successfully concluded a three-day Reporter.Camp. This event marked the finale of the National Student Video Coverage Competition, “Reporter,” celebrating the creativity and skills of ten high school students from across Ukraine. 

These talented winners, chosen after a stringent evaluation by expert jurors, represented the regions of Odessa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Sumy, Chernivtsi, Kyiv, and also included participants living abroad due to the ongoing conflict. The Reporter.Camp both honoured their achievements with an award ceremony and provided an enriching platform for these young storytellers to hone their skills and share experiences.  

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Christophoros Politis said freedom of expression, access to information, and fighting disinformation are fundamental pillars for Ukrainian resilience. “We are proud to support this project at UNDP Ukraine,” he stated. “Fostering media literacy now and building the skills of young aspiring journalists is crucial to the recovery process. It's essential that the rising journalist base is equipped to responsibly and ethically navigate the complex information landscape from the start of their careers.” 

Taras Shevchenko, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy, said promoting media literacy is a top priority for MCIP, as it is crucial both for domestic advancement and Ukraine's European integration. “Media literacy is central to our Information Security Strategy and aligns with the European Union's expectations,” he said. “Our recent focus has been on adopting and implementing the Media Law, a key EU requirement, emphasizing our commitment to this essential area.” 

Over the course of three days in Kyiv, the competition winners attended lectures covering diverse topics, including fact-checking, the intricacies of media operations during times of conflict, and the fundamentals of radio and television journalism. Leading Ukrainian media experts, hosts, and correspondents shared their insights and expertise with the eager young participants. 

Akim Galimov, Head of 1+1 Production.Originals, a Ukrainian producer, screenwriter, journalist, and the creator of the popular YouTube channel “Real History”, offered invaluable insights from his personal journey in documentary filmmaking. Yana Brenzey, the host of the “Vikna-Novyny” programme on the STB channel, enlightened the aspiring journalists on the nuances of working with cameras and engaging audiences. Irina Malihina, Chief Editor of the regional division of Suspilne, led a training session on crafting news for various media platforms, while Viktor Dyachenko, a host at “Suspilne”, delved into the intricacies of live broadcasting. Blogger and TV presenter Nikita Dobrynin fielded questions from students about his career and experience in the world of blogging. 

In addition to the lectures and training sessions, participants of the event had the opportunity to visit the newsroom and museum of Ukrainian Radio, as well as the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity. 

The National “Reporter” competition is executed by the National Media Literacy Project “Filter” under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, with support from UNDP in Ukraine and generous funding provided by the Government of Japan. 

For media inquiries: Yuliia Samus Head of Communications, UNDP in Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org