On February 24, 2025, read the editorial by Sabra Ayres, editorial coach for the Fondation Hirondelle in Ukraine, on the importance of support from the Foundation and its partners IRMI and NUJU for local journalism in Ukraine.
Sabra Ayres, Editorial coach, Kyiv :
In 2022, Yevhen Khrypun, chief editor of Mezhivskyi Meridian, swiftly adapted his hyperlocal newspaper’s coverage as his small city of Mezhova became a refuge for 5,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s advance in the east. Residents urgently needed reliable information on humanitarian aid, local services, and the town’s defense efforts. Despite the collapse of advertising revenue as businesses shuttered, Mezhivskyi Meridian continued publishing, maintaining its weekly print edition and expanding online.
To keep his community’s trusted news source alive, Khrypun secured grants from international donors and relied on a modest subscription base. For three years, within the framework of the Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine project carried out by Fondation Hirondelle with Institute for Regional Media and Information (IRMI) and the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), he participated in editorial training to help his newsroom navigate wartime challenges and better serve his readers—miners, farmers, and industrial workers. His subscriber count grew from 800 to over 1,000, and he launched a YouTube channel to broaden reach.
Today, Mezhivskyi Meridian is again adapting to urgent needs. The frontline is now just 20 km from Mezhova, and locals anxiously seek reliable updates as fighting nears their once-quiet town.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, grant support and training have been vital for hyperlocal media like Mezhivskyi Meridian. Across Ukraine, “news deserts” are expanding as financial struggles and displacement force small outlets to close. Where trusted media disappear, communities become more vulnerable to Russian propaganda and disinformation, which can deepen divisions and erode Ukraine’s democracy.
Local media outlets face growing challenges: reduced staff, limited capacity to cover sensitive topics, and weakened connections with their audiences. Strengthening their editorial capabilities and engagement strategies is essential for Ukraine’s stability and development.
Now, with the withdrawal of USAID funding for democracy and civil society programs, Ukraine’s independent media face even greater uncertainty. The potential shift in U.S. policy toward Russia’s narrative on the war has left Ukraine’s allies deeply concerned. Without continued support, many regional newsrooms could disappear, silencing crucial voices that inform and unite communities.
For three years, Fondation Hirondelle has supported Ukraine’s independent regional media, ensuring they remain strong and responsive to their audiences. But the work is far from over. Now is the time to double down on support for local journalism—because reliable information is not just a service. It is a lifeline.