Ukraine does not have a monopoly on the dissemination of information. We are not a totalitarian country like Belarus, where only official staff of newsrooms has the status of a journalist. Therefore, the events of the full-scale war are covered both by professional and amateur journalists (bloggers).
The new law “On Media” did not introduce any innovations to the definition of who is a journalist. According to the law, a journalist is a creative worker of an entity working in the field of media who professionally collects, receives, creates, edits, distributes and ensures the preparation of information for the media. The key word is “professional,” that is, this person engages in journalism as a profession, not as a hobby.
This is what draws a clear line between professional journalists and bloggers.
Another point is the training one needs to undergo to cover military events. This includes a special training on working in a hostile environment and one on first aid. To work in the areas of hostilities, it is also necessary to obtain accreditation from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, a few days ahead of the visit, send a request to the press officer of the brigade where you are going to work. It is necessary to have protective equipment (a bulletproof vest, a helmet) and a first aid kit.
When submitting a request for accreditation, journalists provide a letter from the newsroom and a copy of the editorial certificate or a copy of the certificate of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine or another union of journalists. Freelancers can get accreditation if they submit a request from the editorial office they work with.
Thus, bloggers cannot receive accreditation from the Armed Forces of Ukraine to work in the area of active hostilities, since they do not have a relationship with an actual editorial office and engage in this activity as volunteers.
Speaking about the difference between reports of military correspondents and live streams shared by military servants in terms of accuracy, relevance, speed, and compliance with certain ethical standards, the common features of these materials are the subject, a particular audience and regularity. But there are differences as well.
Military servants:
– “I film what I want,” “I write when I want”;
– lack of balance, subjectivity;
– unique shots from hard-to-reach locations, immersive effect;
– speed depends on the circumstances: sometimes the video appears after a unit is transferred to a new location.
Professional journalists:
– specially trained to collect, verify and present information;
– film what is socially important, rather than what they want personally;
– follow editorial policies, plans, and objectives;
– comply with journalistic standards and the Ethics Code.
Naturally, in the conditions of martial law, journalists are bound by the rules of war coverage and a number of restrictions contained in the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These restrictions apply to data that cannot be made public: for example, about the location of Ukrainian military positions, about defensive structures, weapons, where shells and missiles hit, etc. Professional journalists and media registered in Ukraine follow these rules. However, bloggers do not have this obligation. For this reason, they publish footage of Ukrainian air defense working when the air raid is not over yet, or less than three hours after a residential building is hit. In this information, bloggers are faster than professional journalists. But this speed may well put the lives and health of military and civilian people at risk.
On the other hand, journalists and “military influencers” can work together to paint a more complete picture of the war. For example, press officers Roman Kot, Iryna Rybakova and others provide exclusive footage for global news agencies and Ukrainian media. In particular, Iryna Rybakova, a former journalist and now a press officer of the 93rd brigade, films on the front lines and at stabilization points, where first aid is provided to wounded soldiers. Civilian war journalists usually don’t have access to those locations, and the only way to get this unique footage is to work with the military. Information and stories from military bloggers can inspire journalistic materials or investigations.
The popularity of bloggers and their independence from editorial policies often prompts professional journalists to start their own channel on social media. On the other hand, journalists can present a certain material blogger-style when they feel it is more important to express their attitude to the problem rather than resolve it. Another example of influence is that professional media imitate a certain form of headlines, making them into manipulative “clickbait.” Bloggers, in turn, imitate traditional genres of journalism, such as an interview or commentary.
Restrictions on the distribution of certain information during martial law can create difficulties for journalists trying to cover public issues. However, martial law does not preclude the media from making efforts to honestly inform the public. Journalists must adhere to ethical norms and professional standards to ensure quality and objective coverage of topics important to all Ukrainians.
Commission on Journalistic Ethics for UKRINFORM