Local, independent and multimedia: UA:PBC presents its modernized newsroom

"I was very passionate about the concept of public broadcasting but did not believe that UA:PBC had a chance to outgrow the 'oligarch channels'," recalled project manager Dmytro Khilchenko in his opening speech.

UA:PBC was founded four years ago and the vision of an independent, wide-reaching public media outlet in Ukraine was just that: a vision. But the modernized newsroom, presented on September 6, 2021, is now a reality and was the result of hard work and extensive changes that Khilchenko was a part of from the beginning.

"We can now report independently and impartially on the most important issues for Ukraine," Khilchenko proudly announced.

The Ukrainian media landscape is still largely influenced by businessmen and politicians who finance national TV stations and control over what gets covered and how. Nevertheless, UA:PBC is now a strong competitor in the news sector. Carsten von Nahmen, said it was the employees' commitment that made this possible. In his speech, the managing director of DW Akademie emphasized the special partnership with UA:PBC enabling them to work together to overcome challenging situations like the Corona pandemic.

Carsten von Nahmen (Managing Director, DW Akademie) thanked all the project's partners during his remarks

"Commitment has carried us through difficult times," said von Nahmen. "I'm very happy to say that we will fulfill all our goals."

DW Akademie has been implementing large-scale media projects in Ukraine since 2013. The Public Media Academy was founded as part of the EU project "Support to the National Broadcaster of Ukraine", which also included the development of a new cross-media news center, the "Newsroom 2.0." Once completed, this cross-platform, multimedia newsroom will have journalists, editors and technicians working to serve the people of Ukraine.

Staff will also have an improved editorial structure, a modern production system and high-quality equipment, enabling them to deliver reliable news quickly and conveniently on all their channels, including their website and social media channels and their TV and radio stations. The Public Media Academyprovides training for journalists, and through this, UA:PBC can make a lasting contribution to an independent, objective and pluralistic media landscape.

Missed the event? Watch it here: