Industry professionals conduct a training event for editors and journalists of local level print media in Mykolayiv region.
Mykolayiv, October 13-14, 2016. “In order to survive and improve their quality print newspapers need to change their work and distribution models, volume and print frequency. However, there is no alternative to a professional editorial board, there is no threat to the journalist’s profession either,” said Serhiy Tykhy, editor-in-chief of the analytical section of Ukrinform national news agency, former editor-in-chief of newspapers “Gazeta po-kyivky” (eng. Kyiv newspaper) and “Krymska gazeta” (eng. Crimean newspaper), speaking at the training event “Journalistic standards: practical advice to district-level print media” held for editors and journalists of Mykolayiv region.
Editor’s role and functions in print media were in focus of the training event. “Main skill the editor needs to possess is the ability to set up the process for generating bright ideas and to lead the way. Editor needs to establish high-quality and consistent planning, be consistent and accept no compromises in preserving the media’s concept, to stick to high journalistic standards. The most important thing is to be logical, as logic and common sense are the first things Ukrainian media are lacking,” Tykhy noted.
According to Tetyana Ogarkova, Hromadske TV journalist, one needs to use advantages and achievements of the latest communication technologies. “Internet and social media are powerful tools to intensify journalistic work and quality planning, as well as to improve the quality of content,” explained Ogarkova. Illustrations and infographics are important to increase the quality of content of print media. Serhiy Tykhy explained to the training participants the nuances of work with graphic materials as well as explained how to create infographics in their newspapers.
The trainer advised the participants on the concept, illustrations and ways to present the information in local newspapers. He advised to avoid giving too much secondary information to the reader as well as splitting the newspaper in traditional sections. Instead news can be grouped in thematic sections, more attractive forms to present secondary materials can be applied. There should be a section in the newspaper that may serve as a discussion platform, front page and last page should be subject to special attention.
The training is the twelfth in a series of events conducted as part of the joint Ukrainian-Polish project that aims at empowering local print media in Mykolayiv region. The team of Ukraine Crisis Media Center is implementing the project through the regional Mykolayiv-based coordinator. Warsaw-based East European Democratic Center is the Polish partner within the project.
The project is implemented in the framework of the Poland-Canada Democracy Support Program under financial support of the Program of Polish cooperation for development of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Poland and of the Government of Canada.