The Russian invasion of February 24, 2022, plunged the Ukrainian media into an unprecedented economic crisis. To tackle this challenge, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and The Fix, a research and advisory firm for media professionals with its own media outlet, have released a report: “From Resilience to Recovery: Securing the Future of Ukrainian Media”. RSF calls for the creation of an International Fund for the Reconstruction of the Ukrainian Media (IFRUM) to ensure media independence and preserve the right to information.

“From Resilience to Recovery: Securing the Future of Ukrainian Media” in key points:

1. The Russian invasion has devastated Ukraine’s media landscape

Killed journalists, bombed infrastructure, staff shortages, mass disinformation... Since February 24, 2022:

The safety of journalists has come under threat, with 12 media professionals killed, at least 43 injured, and 20 detained by Russia. Daily Russian bombardments have destroyed at least 20 TV towers, among other important infrastructure.

Media outlets have suffered a severe lack of staff. The industry’s recruitment problems, which existed before 2022, have been exacerbated by conscription and mass emigration.

Journalists have faced increasing pressure from political and military authorities, who restrict access to certain zones.

Shifts in media consumption have encouraged the spread of disinformation. Social media platforms, especially Telegram, have become Ukrainians’ primary source of information – and disinformation. Traditional media outlets must now fact-check Russian propaganda disseminated on unregulated social media platforms in addition to covering the news.

Media revenues collapsed as advertising revenues fell by 61% between 2021 and 2022.

2. This economic crisis will debilitate the media sector in the long term

Deprived of stable sources of income – from advertising to subscriptions – many Ukrainian media outlets have lost their financial autonomy and are dependent on economic aid from donors, which is waning.

While some local media have managed to stay afloat, the vast majority were particularly devastated by the economic crisis: while 70% of local media were more than 90% self-sufficient in 2021, only 14% declared a similar level of self-sufficiency in 2023.

This dire situation has caused information deserts to proliferate.

3. $96 million is needed to prevent media outlet closures

Not only have Ukrainian media outlets suffered an alarming loss of revenue, but operating costs have risen by an average of 24%. This is due to inflation reaching 20% in 2022, the need to purchase new security and energy equipment, and staff relocation to areas far from the front line with higher rental prices.

Without sustainable support, many local and regional publications will disappear. By studying the budgets of 42 media outlets and analyzing the media sector’s overall economic situation, the report found that $96 million is needed over three years to ensure that independent Ukrainian media outlets can cover their operating expenses and administrative costs.

RSF’s recommendations

Based on these findings, RSF has six recommendations for international donors and the Ukrainian government:

1. Fund the reconstruction of Ukraine’s media ecosystem

RSF advocates for the creation of an International Fund for the Reconstruction of the Ukrainian Media (IFRUM): a transparent, autonomous fund independent from state funding run by an independent ad hoc committee whose members are diverse enough to represent a broad spectrum of international stakeholders actively involved in journalism.

2. Administer funds with conditionality based on journalistic ethics and standards

Reliable, trustworthy journalism must be enhanced and protected, and the allocation of IFRUM funds should be decided on the basis of transparent and stringent criteria. Investments should be conditional on an outlet’s ethical commitments.

3. Implement additional economic measures to boost the Ukrainian media sector

To reinforce the IFRUM’s impact, the Ukrainian government should adopt a series of targeted economic measures enabling the media to resume their long-term investments.

4. Bolster public service media in Ukraine

The Ukrainian government should value the role of the public service broadcaster Suspilne while ensuring it maintains full editorial and financial independence, in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 5 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

5. End arbitrary restrictions and undue government pressure on Ukrainian media

It is no longer appropriate to maintain costly and unduly restrictive measures like the United News Telemarathon, and the Ukrainian government must stop exercising undue pressure on journalists and hindering their right to report on the war through restrictions to their freedom of access.

6. Set up a regulatory framework to tackle the online information crisis

The Ukrainian government should establish an Independent Platform Regulatory Authority (IPRA). The primary purpose of the IPRA would be to conduct annual “state of disinformation” reviews that analyze specific content on social media platforms, especially Telegram.