Since the beginning of the full-scale war, 329 Ukrainian media outlets have ceased their activities: IMI research
Within 1,000 days of the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, 329 Ukrainian media outlets were forced to cease their work. Of these, only 16% (or 52 media) managed to resume their activities.
About this the data show Institute of mass information.
The media shutdown has had the greatest impact on regions located near the battle lines. According to the data provided by IMI, the most closed media were recorded in the Zaporizhia region (50 media), Donetsk (35), Kherson (34), Mykolaiv (30), Kharkiv (29), Luhansk (26) and Odesa (24). In general, the war unleashed by Russia led to the closure of the media in all regions of Ukraine, except for two – Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. However, IMI points out that even in these cases there may be cases that are currently beyond the reach of researchers.
Photo: imi.org.ua
The main reason for the closure of the media was the temporary occupation of the territory, which led to the cessation of work of 117 media, as well as financial difficulties caused by the war, due to which another 96 media outlets closed. For example, in the Odesa region, 83% of media that stopped their activities did so precisely because of financial difficulties.
Another 29 mass media cited other reasons for closure, including relocation of journalists, problems with distribution of materials, and inability to work in usual conditions.
It is interesting to note that six media outlets ceased operations due to the mobilization of their chief editors or managers. Among them, two cases each were recorded in the Mykolaiv and Chernivtsi regions and one each in the Kirovohrad and Cherkasy regions.
Television suffered the greatest losses – since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 105 TV channels have been closed, which is 32% of all media outlets that have ceased their activities. In second place is the printed edition: 95 newspapers have disappeared (29% of the total number of closed mass media). Also, the Russian invasion caused the closure of 77 radio stations (23%). Online media experienced the least losses: 52 news sites were closed, which is 16% of all closed media
The leading regions where the media managed to resume their work are Kherson (14 media), Kharkiv (12) and Mykolaiv (7). Resumption of activity became possible after de-occupation.
The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) is a media public organization founded in 1996. It protects the rights of journalists, analyzes the media sphere, counters propaganda and disinformation, and supports journalists working in war zones. IMI monitors freedom of speech, compiles lists of transparent media and documents media crimes in Russia. The organization has representatives in 20 regions of Ukraine and supports the network of “Mediabaza” hubs. IMI’s partners include Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House, as well as the network of the International Organization for the Protection of Freedom of Speech (IFEX).
