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We\u2019ve got some bad news.<\/p>\n
In fact, we\u2019ve got plenty of bad news. As well as some good news, and a handful of regular news.<\/p>\n
As with any media publication, we cover many topics and developments, both upsetting and inspiring.<\/p>\n
But lately, we have seen a worrying trend that needs addressing.<\/p>\n
That is, people have been attacking journalists for \u201cnegative\u201d stories about Ukraine and the war.<\/p>\n
More often than before, when we publish a story touching on something that can be seen as \u201cupsetting,\u201d we get pushback from those following what\u2019s happening in Ukraine, in the form of emails to journalists or comments on the website and social media.<\/p>\n
These \u201cupsetting\u201d stories include reports about the hardships<\/a> on the front line, battlefield missions not going as planned, corruption allegations<\/a> rocking the Ukrainian government, or political quarreling<\/a> that seems inappropriate for the times of war.<\/p>\n While such stories get a lot of appreciation from our readers seeking well-rounded reporting about Ukraine, they also provoke accusations of being \u201ctoo pessimistic,\u201d publishing \u201charmful\u201d or \u201cdemoralizing\u201d stories, helping Russian propaganda, or even being \u201cinfiltrated with Kremlin agents.\u201d The words \u201cclickbait\u201d and \u201cdisinformation\u201d get thrown around.<\/p>\n We want to take this opportunity to explain why we, a Ukrainian publication, choose to publish stories that can be seen as presenting Ukraine in a \u201cbad light.\u201d<\/p>\n At the Kyiv Independent, our mission is to report on Ukraine. We aspire to be the place for those seeking to understand Ukraine and the developments here. As journalists, we keep the public informed and hold those in power to account. That includes Ukraine\u2019s leadership in times of war.<\/p>\n We wouldn\u2019t be doing anyone any good if we ran the Kyiv Independent as a propaganda outlet or a feel-good publication, filled solely with stories about Ukraine\u2019s successes, of which we cover a lot.<\/p>\n Falling out of touch with reality is dangerous, especially in times of war. We saw how this disconnect with reality has been the reason behind some of the Russians\u2019 failures. Thanks to their bad intelligence and corrupt leadership, they walked into Ukraine thinking they would take Kyiv in three days and be met with flowers.<\/p>\n We can\u2019t afford to fall into the same trap of ignorance. Reading the stories of Ukrainians\u2019 incredible bravery and victories feels good \u2013 and so does writing them. But reality is bigger than just those stories.<\/p>\n As with anywhere, our reality in Ukraine is a mix of inspiring and upsetting developments. The war makes everything more vivid. Corruption or political quarreling are more shocking than before, because they\u2019re happening while Ukraine\u2019s defenders lose their lives to buy the country time. And we understand that people are shocked and hurt that these things still happen. So are we.<\/p>\n We would be doing a poor service to our readers, both inside and outside of Ukraine, if we filtered out the \u201cbad\u201d stories. In fact, we\u2019d be actively causing harm if we were doing it.<\/p>\n We have been getting comments complaining about things \u201cbecoming more negative\u201d or \u201ceditorial policy changing in the last few months.\u201d The truth is, the editorial policy hasn\u2019t changed. The events we report on have.<\/p>\n We are careful and do everything we can to get our facts straight. We\u2019d rather wait and run the story later but get it right. There have been many stories that we haven\u2019t published because we didn\u2019t have enough evidence to be absolutely sure that we have a solid story.<\/p>\n Like everyone else, we make mistakes. We make sure to fix it fast, run a correction, and talk it through in the newsroom to keep it from happening again.<\/p>\n We understand that readers find certain stories upsetting. It doesn\u2019t change that they are part of our objective reality, and the public deserves to know about them.<\/p>\n The only facts we won\u2019t publish are the kind that can hurt troops on the battlefield, such as the locations of specific units or details of planned operations. But we don\u2019t think that the war should be used as a pretext to put a blanket cover over issues like corruption or misconduct.<\/p>\n We also don\u2019t think that \u201cupsetting\u201d stories from the front lines should be censored. The daily reality of the war is brutal and it shouldn\u2019t be concealed for the sake of positivity alone. Soldiers defending Ukraine are people with feelings and fears. They are giving their lives and the least we can do is listen to what they have to say, especially if doing so can prevent misconduct whose cost is measured in human lives. Shedding light on it can make a case for action.<\/p>\n Importantly, no matter how upset one is with any story, incendiary comments and personal attacks against journalists are irresponsible and can\u2019t be justified. We live and report in a country where journalists have been attacked and killed for their work.<\/p>\n Last but not least, Ukraine is about freedom. This war is about staying free \u2013 not just from Russia, but from what it stands for: authoritarianism, oppression, and lawlessness. One can\u2019t win a war by adopting the enemy\u2019s values.<\/p>\n Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy and a healthy society. Suppressing \u201cunpleasant\u201d stories and calling for the journalists\u2019 silence isn\u2019t what Ukraine stands for.<\/p>\n We are serving Ukraine, its future, and our readers. In light of this, expect that the Kyiv Independent will continue to bring you the truth. At times, it will be unpleasant.<\/p>\n Do you want to share your thoughts with us? Write<\/a> a letter to the editor, and we will consider publishing it. <\/em><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent<\/a>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n