Overview of this campaign

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine created unprecedented challenges for regional and local media: regional newsrooms were destroyed, some of them were occupied, journalists faced violence, displacement, and immense personal risks, business models collapsed, compromising the sustainability of independent media, delivery of paper for newspapers was destroyed and all the journalists, reporters from the frontline, were not insured during their work under the shellings. 

This crisis threatened not only the flow of information but also the democratic fabric of Ukrainian society.

The Rescuing Freedom Campaign focused on swift, strategic, and impactful actions to build a strong network of international support to keep the press freedom alive. 

 Campaign Objectives

1. Safeguarding Regional Journalism: Ensure the survival of independent regional news outlets in Ukraine during the Russian invasion by providing direct financial and logistical support
2. Enhancing Journalist Safety: Protect journalists reporting from the frontline through comprehensive safety training, provision of essential equipment such as generators and satellite internet, and coverage for insurance days
3. Sustaining Content Production: Enable the production of news content, digital and print, especially at the frontline to maintain critical information flow to Ukrainian communities
4. Securing Global Partnerships: Build a coalition of support by partnering with international organizations, foundations, and individuals
5. Reviving Newsroom Operations: Facilitate the relocation and re-establishment of destroyed or displaced newsrooms
6. Raising International Awareness: Amplify the voices of Ukrainian journalists by sharing their stories globally, securing advocacy and recognition for their role in defending democracy and press freedom
7. Encouraging Collaborative Journalism: Promote resource sharing and collaboration among regional newsrooms to optimize efficiency, foster solidarity, and strengthen the collective impact of local media during the crisis
8. Rebuilding Community Trust: Actively engage with local audiences by maintaining consistent and reliable news delivery, reinforcing trust in independent journalism as a pillar of democratic resilience

Results for this campaign

The Rescuing Freedom Campaign provided essential resources to independent regional and local newsrooms, including safety training, equipment (bulletproof vests, helmets, tourniquets, laptops, mobile phones, generators, satellite internet, paper for the newspapers, etc), and financial assistance for content production, insurance for the frontline journalists. They facilitated the relocation of journalists and newsrooms when necessary, ensuring the continued operation of critical news sources. 

Campaign Results

• Media Survival

Successfully supported 120 regional and local news outlets, enabling them to continue serving their communities despite the challenges of war, 458 items of equipment were granted as humanitarian aid to the local newsrooms

• Massive Content Reach

Distributed 9 million print copies of newspapers, 11K unique content were produced, 80 million users is the audience of supported media, 345 tones of the paper were delivered to the regional print media as a humanitarian aid ensuring critical information reached citizens across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion

• Journalist Safety Secured

Protect journalists working in conflict zones through comprehensive safety training, up to 200 journalists and media professionals were trained during security and psychological trainings, provision of essential equipment such as generators, charging stations and satellite internet, and coverage for 1,500 insurance days

• Uniting for Press Freedom Achieved

The Rescuing Freedom Campaign joint international relationships and new partnerships with media organizations, foundations, and individuals worldwide to build the strong network of supporters of the independent regional media in Ukraine. This network provided crucial financial, logistical, and technical support from 13 countries. Supporters from the media from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, France, USA, Australia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia join together the efforts to keep alive the regional press in Ukraine. Over 19 media managers joined as ambassadors, leading efforts and organizing support to uphold press freedom and ensure the survival of independent journalism.

Contact

To contact a company representative about this campaign, click here for the INMA Member Directory