Read Quality Media and Your World Will be Healthy

Journalists on Disinformation. Part 4: Ukraine

Credible journalism is at the core of a democratic society. To celebrate the World Press Freedom Day, EUvsDisinfo publishes a series of articles, giving voice to independent journalism in the Eastern Partnership countries. Part 4. Ukraine.

EUvsDisinfo talked with five Ukrainian journalists who share a passion for quality journalism with solid research and engagement with the readers, listeners or viewers. Roman Kolyada is journalist and presenter at the Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Radio. Alyona Romanyuk works as Editor-in-Chief at ‘Behind The News’ and coronafakes.com. Dmytro Tuzov is presenter at Radio NV. Oleksiy Matsuka is Editor-in-Chief, DOM TV Channel and Myroslava Barchuk who is presenter at ‘Zvorotniy Vidlik’ (Countdown) talk show on the UA: Pershiy TV, Ukrainian Public Broadcaster.

With the Maidan-demonstrations in 2013 and armed conflict since 2014, their daily work includes challenging disinformation – from individuals or from larger networks. We bring their personal experiences in fighting disinformation within diverse Ukraine’s media landscape full of important and often emotionally loaded debates.

Why is journalism especially important for you?

Dmytro Tuzov:

The role of journalism is not only to inform people truthfully, but also to counteract lies in all its manifestations. Literally to “torpedo” falsehoods, disinformation or manipulation.

Alyona Romanyuk:

Inform the public about the things that matter; – that is journalism. Explain the incomprehensible. Pay attention to what is kept quiet. Expose what is hidden.

Roman Kolyada:

Society has the right to receive information that is balanced, impartial and objective. Sometimes journalism is like a magnifying glass, sometimes just a mirror, but it always has to be clean and clear.

Myroslava Barchuk:

Journalism is a platform for constructive civic dialogue, where the media play roles of a communicator and a mediator. The metaphoric term of the Fourth Estate or the “fourth power” is very close to my heart – in a sense of a separate, independent social institution, wielding significant indirect influence. An institution with a crucial function in the system of checks and balances.

Myroslava Barchuk, presenter at ‘Zvorotniy Vidlik’ (Countdown) talk show on the UA: Pershiy TV, Ukrainian Public Broadcaster.

Do you often encounter disinformation?

Oleksiy Matsuka:

I often become the target of disinformation myself. In our situation, when there is a conflict inside Ukraine – parts of our territories are occupied, if you are a Ukrainian journalist, you are already seen a priori as biased to this or that particular audience. It is up to us to build trust in our product within our audiences.

Roman Kolyada:

Disinformation affects everyone’s life. When you are in the flow of information, you constantly encounter disinformation even if you try to filter it. You have to be constantly vigilant, because the number of falsehoods in the media is huge. All the time you have to train your ‘nerve of critical perception’.

Alyona Romanyuk:

I meet it constantly since I work in the field of fact-checking. There are many distortions and manipulations in the Ukrainian media space. You can say:

“We once fought for the right to tell the truth. Today we are fighting for the truth to be heard in the sea of disinformation.”

How do you react to disinformation?

Alyona Romanyuk:

For several years, I worked in public relations and crisis communications in social policy field. At some point, the number of false stories crossed my personal line and I decided to create a project with a layman in mind to explain how disinformation works in simple language. I wanted to create a team that anyone can reach out to asking to check a message. That’s how the project “Po Toy Bik Novyn” or “Behind The News” came about.

Alyona Romanyuk, Editor-in-Chief at ‘Behind The News’ and coronafakes.com.

Dmytro Tuzov:

First, I report about it on Radio NV. This reporting extends not only to the territory of Ukraine. Radio NV enjoys sizeable audiences of active listeners also in Russia and Belarus, as evidenced by the feedback we receive through all possible channels, including on social networks, from our listeners.

Roman Kolyada:

Sometimes my reaction could be to shout or get mad, if I already came across that disinformation on social networks. But then, I turn on the ‘internal filter’ and think how best to react if a person just posted something unintentionally driven by emotions. Sometimes I consider writing in a private message as politely as possible, because you are engaging in something that another person perhaps keeps dear. If it is serious, then file a complaint on Facebook. If it is coming from the category of bots, then just ban or ignore.

Oleksiy Matsuka:

There are many examples of disinformation on vaccines – I often hear them. I hear from ordinary people some statements of politicians who have never said those things. When you understand the influence of disinformation, it saddens you and you want to start writing about it right away.

The main risk that disinformation poses is that it distorts reality, it generates distorted interpretations, rather than facts — all this, certainly, affects both decision-making process and the process of governing society.

Oleksiy Matsuka, Editor-in-Chief, DOM TV Channel.

Myroslava Barchuk:

Disinformation and half-truths appear in parallel with credible news. It always has since the times Gutenberg invented the mechanical press. The downside in the digital age is the spread with lightning speed and at monstrous scale. However, I confront it in my writing. I ask people presenting such information to send evidence and/or links to statements. Not made-up stories or article but credible links. The reaction of people who believe in conspiracy theories is usually very aggressive.

What is your advice for people to counter or avoid disinformation?

Alyona Romanyuk:

Everyone can stop the spread of lies. Don’t share information if you’re not sure about it, don’t read “fake news sites”, but support independent journalism.

Dmytro Tuzov:

Ignore channels known for spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation or where those controlling them, dictators and oligarchs, have a monopoly position in certain markets. Respond to disinformation and report it where you can. Even on social networks. Check the information in several sources – go first to those media you find trustworthy. Verify photos and videos for seasonal mismatch of clothing or vegetation. Check geolocation, landscape, architecture. Surprisingly, even the initial analysis can debunk a lot of disinformation.

Dmytro Tuzov, presenter at Radio NV.

Oleksiy Matsuka:

Know the owners of the media and the editor-in-chief, follow his / her social media accounts. Learn the mechanisms for filing complaints to an independent self-regulatory body of journalists in our country. Do not overload yourself with information platforms. Choose what is clear to verify – who finances the media resource. Accept that the media is not your servant and it is not obliged to suit your political and ideological preferences.

Roman Kolyada:

Use credible media and have a critical sense. Check authoritative sources when seeing ‘dramatic’ or shocking news. If you see a clear disinformation on social networks do not comment but write in a private message if it is a person close to you. By leaving a comment, you contribute to the spread of this on social networks. This is how algorithms work. More people commented – more people saw. If a person acts hostile, ignore or ban.

Roman Kolyada, journalist and presenter at the Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Radio.

Myroslava Barchuk:

Do not trust unreliable and unverified sources. Look for confirmation in primary sources. Do not disseminate suspicious, emotional information. Read well beyond headlines. Support quality media financially. Read quality and thought-provoking press and your world will become smart and healthy.

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We continue this series of articles celebrating the World Press Freedom Day. Next time, we talk with journalists in Azerbaijan. Previous articles: Part 1. Belarus; Part 2. Georgia; Part 3. Armenia.