International Journalists' Network (IJNet)
Early in the morning of Thursday, February 24, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in what is the most significant military attack in Europe since World War II. Ordered by President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s invasion follows its annexation in 2014 of the Crimean peninsula, and eight years of support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine since.
In an ICFJ Pamela Howard Forum on Global Crisis Reporting webinar, ICFJ Director of Community Engagement Stella Roque spoke with two journalists reporting closely on the invasion: Ostap Yarysh, an international reporter with Voice of America’s Ukrainian Service based in Washington, D.C., and Tom Mutch, a freelance journalist covering crime and conflict on the ground in Kyiv, Ukraine.
At the time of the interview, both Yarysh and Mutch had been working around the clock since the initial stages of the invasion. They shared important information for fellow journalists around the world covering the war’s outbreak, and offered advice for how best to report on the conflict for international audiences.
Recognize the global impact
The Russian invasion of Ukraine might seem distant or far away, especially if you aren’t based in Europe, but the ramifications have the potential for long-term global consequences.
“One thing that I think has such worldwide relevance is the idea that we have this imperfect, rules-based international order,” said Mutch. “The biggest tragedy of the Ukraine crisis, along with the suffering of the Ukrainian people, could be the idea that if Russia gets away with enforcing its political and diplomatic aims by military force, this sets an example not just for this particular region but for the world.”
Yarysh agreed.
“Especially when we talk about dictatorships and other authoritarian countries like China or Iran, this could set a pretext for them, that they might be unpunished for their actions as well,” he said, further noting how the war could affect close-by countries, including NATO member states, potentially. “We see that this is not only eastern Ukraine, that there are some facilities and cities that have been shelled that are within 15 miles to Poland, which is a NATO country."
Understand the language and context
“First, the important element for both sides – here in the U.S. and people reporting in Ukraine — is the correct translation of things,” said Yarysh.
Mistranslations run the risk of unintentionally spreading misinformation if not double-checked. This is an especially prevalent concern during a rapidly developing story, and if your newsroom doesn’t have a native speaker on staff.
It’s critical that journalists communicate clearly the dynamics of the conflict, Mutch added.
“While you can make a point that Russia has legitimate security interests about NATO expansion, there is absolutely nothing that Ukraine has done to ever justify what has happened and what is going on now,” he said. “It is in cases like this to show that, while you give perspective of the aggressive side — in this case Russia — you point out that they are the aggressor in this situation.”
Communicating these facts to readers helps pierce through misinformation that seeks to obscure the true nature of Russia’s actions. “This is not only a physical war, but also a war of information,” Yarysh said.
Humanize the conflict
Journalists should give their reporting on the war a human face as best they can. While facts and figures tell one story, interviewing people directly affected by the conflict provides readers with a more intimate understanding of the war and its fallout.
“When others read these stories and see that the problem has a human face, it’s much easier to relate,” Yarysh said.
“The story isn’t, ‘I’m a foreign correspondent, I’m here in the middle of the action,’ even if that’s sometimes what the editors want,” Mutch agreed. “It’s about getting that local crucial human element, whether it’s when air raid sirens go off and people are huddling in metros [during a bombing], or people are in the bus and train stations trying to get out of Kyiv, trying to flee west, or people who we know are stuck in the cities in the east.”
This means, too, that journalists should avoid the temptation to report only on what is sensational or violent. “Treating people as human beings, not just as story material, would be my advice,” Yarysh said.
Keep safe while reporting
Safety must be a top priority for journalists reporting on the war in Ukraine.
“It’s a tired line but true – no story is worth risking life or limb over. It’s not worth taking those risks just to get front line footage of tanks or stuff like that,” said Mutch. Especially in the early days of the conflict where front lines are fluid, not knowing where things are going to be in 24 hours means that journalists should take extra precaution for their personal safety.
Journalists looking to report on the Ukraine war or future conflicts should strongly consider taking hostile environment training, suggested Mutch.
“You have to be mentally and physically prepared for the first time a rocket or a bullet or an explosion lands near you. You will have an emotional reaction that you cannot necessarily predict,” he said.
Having basic knowledge of first aid, vehicle and dwelling safety, and other safety tips can, if not completely prepare you for a conflict zone, at least provide you with the proper tools to stay safe. Examples include these trainings from the International Women’s Foundation and these courses shared by the Rory Peck Trust. Consult this IJNet resource, too, for advice on developing your own safety and risk assessments.
“The more you do [conflict reporting], the more you learn about yourself and where your comfort levels are,” said Mutch. “You learn what your emotional resilience and capability to deal with stress and trauma is.”
This article was originally published by the International Journalists' Network (IJNet). IJNet, like Global Business Journalism, is a project of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
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