Post by Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV)

Free and resilient media is one of Ukraine's most important lines of defence 🎤 🛡️     Funded by #ESTDEV, The Kyiv Independent, Delfi Meedia and NGO Mondo have launched a new project to help Ukrainian newsrooms withstand the challenges of war and counter propaganda. 🇪🇪🇺🇦 According to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, 26% of regional media outlets are operating without paying salaries. Also, more than 77% of small media organisations operate on monthly budgets of less than €2,000, which isn’t nearly enough for long-term development and independence. A key priority of the partnership is to help Ukraine's local media identify and implement new revenue streams and develop sustainable business models to strengthen their independence. 🔹 "Many of our colleagues in regional media do critical work with fewer resources and in tougher circumstances than we have. This is our way of helping close that gap and build a more financially sustainable future for Ukrainian media, together," said Daryna Shevchenko, CEO of The Kyiv Independent. 🔹 "We can share our experience in developing digital media, managing newsrooms and reaching audiences. At the same time, this collaboration will bring valuable lessons back to Estonia about newsroom resilience, crisis management and innovation," said Maria Mägi, editor-in-chief of Delfi. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dJRku3u4 Beyond helping to counter disinformation, strengthening independent regional media builds the democratic resilience that is vital for Ukraine's path towards the EU. 🤝 🇪🇺 #FromThePeopleOfEstonia Kelli Eek Eva-Maria Liimets Tiina Joosu-Palu Stella Saarts Olesia Meleshko Olha Lypynska Toma Istomina Yelyzaveta Rafalska Andrea Kivi Margus Gering Toomas Tirs