Almost a third of media outlets suspended their activities after the start of a full-scale invasion: study results

The full-scale war changed the face of the Ukrainian media space. Publications that only yesterday were working in the usual mode were faced with an existential challenge: to survive, to keep the teams, the audience and the elementary possibility to work. Part of the media closed, part was forced to evacuate or switch to an emergency format. Against this background, not only data on the losses themselves became important, but also an assessment of how the war changed the work of editorial offices, what they need now and what consequences they will face in the coming years.

Analytical research “Under the Pressure of War”, conducted by the Lviv Media Forum in partnership with UNESCO, covered the period from the end of February 2022 to 2024. It showed not only the extent of the destruction of the industry, but also the real volumes of the necessary help, so that the recovery was not spot-on, but systemic.

According to the study, almost a third of media (28%) suspended their activities after the start of a full-scale invasion. Some of them stopped working temporarily, but others could not return to the information space. The most vulnerable appeared to be printed publications — in particular, district and city newspapers, which were going through a crisis even before 2022. The war exacerbated all the weak points: rising paper prices, logistical difficulties, loss of subscriptions and advertisers, and in some cases total lack of access to audiences due to occupation or evacuation.

In addition, 37% of the surveyed newsrooms noted that they evacuated: some to the west of Ukraine, some – abroad. For many, this meant a loss of local identity, reduced contact with sources, and in some cases, the disbanding of teams. At the same time, moving did not always guarantee stability: not everyone was able to find new premises, equipment or financial opportunities to continue their activities.

Among the main reasons for media shutdowns are the threat of occupation (35%), evacuation (30%), logistical collapse (28.3%), lack of funds (18.3%), destruction of equipment (13.3%) and direct shelling (10%). In regions where hostilities were particularly intense, newsrooms lost not only premises, but also archives, studios, and servers. Many were left without access to the Internet, electricity or were forced to stop working due to risks to their lives. Also, among the main problems are the loss of advertising revenues (68.5%), staff shortage (60.1%), the impossibility of long-term planning (59.6%) and the decrease of the audience (39%).

Some of the editors who continued their work were forced to change their thematic emphasis: they began to pay more attention to the war, mobilization, humanitarian initiatives, and the life of internally displaced persons. Some have completely abandoned entertainment or cultural content. Due to the loss of journalists and reduced income, the quality of materials has decreased: newsrooms are increasingly publishing official reports without independent verification. Some TV channels were forced to rebroadcast the telethon, refusing to produce their own content.

In addition, about 40% of media and 44% of journalists suffered material damage: destroyed offices, damaged equipment, lost editorial archives. More than 85% of journalists stated that they experienced psychological exhaustion or experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout. At the same time, only 3.8% said that they did not have any psychological problems, and most of those who experienced difficulties did not seek professional help.

According to analysts, media companies in Ukraine lost more than 560 million dollars of potential income. TV broadcasters, newspaper publishers and news agencies were the most affected. Compared to others, radio stations sounded better.

To restore the Ukrainian media infrastructure in the medium term, at least $392 million is needed. This amount takes into account not only losses, but also the costs of modernizing editorial offices, psychological support of employees and training — so that recovery is not a return to the past state, but a point of qualitative renewal.

A survey conducted by the Institute of Mass Information in 2022 also confirmed serious changes in the lives of journalists. If in May 2022, 73% of journalists were at home, then in August — already 86%. Journalists returned from safer regions of Ukraine, but practically did not return from abroad. 74% of respondents reported a significant deterioration in their financial situation during the first six months of full-scale war.

The situation recorded by the LMF study is not a finished crisis – it is an ongoing process. The media sphere continues to adapt to new conditions, but without systemic help – financial, institutional, psychological – it will be difficult to preserve professional journalism in the post-war period. The coming years will require not only the restoration of the technical base, but also the return of trust, professional standards and decent working conditions in editorial offices.