Could you please tell us about the work you’re currently engaged in at Radio Liberty’s main headquarters? What topics do you usually cover?
I’m a multimedia producer in RFE/RL’s central newsroom. The topics I cover vary from day to day. At RFE, we have local services in over two dozen countries, including in Ukraine. I often take the stories our local services do and version them into English language stories, which includes retooling the stories for an international audience.
While living in the Czech Republic, do you find that the topic of Ukraine comes up in conversations with your colleagues? Is it still a subject of great relevance, or do you feel that attention to the war is slowly fading as people grow tired of hearing this kind of news every day?
The topic of Ukraine does come up frequently. It is very much a big part of our coverage across the country. While I’m not certain how often the war is discussed in different parts of the Czech Republic, it is a common topic of discussion in Prague, at least in my personal and professional circles.
Is there a singular moment or event that comes to mind when you think of your experience at the Kyiv Post?
There are a lot of fond moments I have from my time working with many members of the current Kyiv Independent team. When we worked from the Kyiv Post, I received a grant to cover environmental issues in Ukraine. I managed a team of talented Ukrainian colleagues as we traveled the country to report on some environmental challenges the country faces, but also some success stories of ambitious activists tackling some of the most pressing ecological issues in Ukraine.
Do you feel that you’ve learned a lot about yourself and the world from working with your Ukrainian colleagues? When you look back at this time, do you feel grateful for the opportunity you had? Do you think that it allowed you to improve your skills, enrich your portfolio and move forward in your field?
I’m very grateful for my time in Ukraine. It’s hard to put that experience into words. I think working in Ukraine as a video journalist and learning as much as possible about the country, including developing intermediate Ukrainian language skills, helped me progress in my career and gave me skills that help fulfill Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s mission.
What’s the story you did for the Kyiv Post publication that you are most proud of?
I think the docuseries “Ukraine on the Brink” is what I’m most proud of from my team in Ukraine.
What are the biggest challenges that Ukrainian journalists are facing today, in your opinion?
Unfortunately, Ukrainian journalists face many challenges these days. Obviously, safety is a major issue for journalists reporting on the war. And Russian disinformation is also a serious concern, one that can only be fought when good journalists produce accurate and truthful reporting.
When you think about the war Russia has been waging against us for over 10 years, what stands out most to you about our country’s resistance?
The thing that stands out the most is the determination of the Ukrainian people to fight for their freedom against all odds.
Do you believe that Ukraine ultimately has a bright future?
Yes, I believe Ukraine has a bright future. The fight for that bright future will likely be a long one, but I’m confident in the will and determination of the Ukraine people to achieve their goals of freedom and independence.
And also I’d love you ask you for some advice. A large percentage of our readers are young people, especially university students studying journalism. What would you recommend to someone just starting out in the profession who wants to spread the truth about the war to a wider audience?
My best advice would be to take some action toward your goal. If you’re just starting, reach out to local media for possible internships, even if they are not listed on the company’s webpage. That’s basically how I started. I sent out my CV to many companies after I graduated and asked if they had any internships available. One company replied, and that was the start of my career.
What words of wisdom would you offer to someone who approaches you and says, ‘I want to have a great international career and work for various leading media organizations like you have. What steps should I take if I desire to work for Radio Liberty or another large, influential media outlet?’
In addition to what I mentioned above, building your professional network is key to finding opportunities in just about any field. An internship is a great way to do that. For example, I know that from time to time, there are internship opportunities listed on RFE/RL’s website. If I were just starting my career, I would check that web page daily and apply when something is listed.
Also, I’m a multimedia journalist and would encourage all young professionals to develop their video production skills, including filming and editing. The more skills you have, the more desirable you’ll be for an employer.
