By Colette Davidson

When Ukrainian war correspondent Andriy Dubchak heard the anti-aircraft explosion overhead, one recent night in Kharkiv, he ran into the bedroom where his wife and 4-month old baby were sleeping to lie with them.

“I thought in that moment, it was better to die together,” says Mr. Dubchak, the founder of Frontliner, an independent media outlet.

Mr. Dubchak is one of a dwindling number of independent Ukrainian journalists who have remained in the country and continued to report from the frontlines, while under constant threat of drones, shelling and explosions. Over 300 media have been forced to close since the Russian occupation in 2022, and few male journalists remain – most have had to join the army.

For independent journalists still reporting from inside Ukraine, the rules are changing. More women journalists are joining the profession, and security is a constant challenge. Reporters must operate differently to stay safe and media outlets are offering new content as the needs of residents change with the rules of war.

But independent journalists in Ukraine have remained fearless and committed to the task of bringing the news to those who either can’t or don’t want to leave the country.

“The situation on the frontline is worse than in 2022, with more drones and shells attacking Ukraine,” says Mr. Dubchak. “At the same time, only Ukraine can fight for ourselves.”

Local media non-profits have been an essential support system for Ukrainian journalists as the media landscape transforms. Newsrooms have had to relocate – often multiple times – and journalists with no hostile environment training have been thrust into life-threatening situations.

Media outlets have also lost significant revenue streams or have had to switch to digital-only models. Some publications have gone from offering pure news to information on how residents can rebuild their communities left destroyed by the war.

The Association of Independent Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU) regularly offers trainings and workshops to help journalists increase their audience and learn how to use artificial intelligence or video tools. They’re also providing mental health and financial support to media professionals, and practical information on how to stay safe.

“The main challenge is security,” says Oksana Brovko, the CEO of AIRPPU, who will accept the 2025 Golden Pen award on behalf of independent Ukrainian media. “We help them relocate from places that are occupied and how to delete information from their phones or computers for their own protection.”

As the war drags on, local and regional media in Ukraine have become an important resource, not just for updates on the latest attacks or death counts, but on practical information for residents. Local journalists are using their publications to help locals find green corridors to escape, how to renew administrative documents, or information on internal displacement.

“Local journalists are close to the evidence, and they have the biggest level of trust of local people,” says Oleksii Pogorelov, president of the Ukrainian Media Business Association. “Before the war, they were just news distributors. But when they saw that people needed help, they started transforming.”

In the town of Koltelva in the Poltava region, the local newspaper published information about a bridge that had been destroyed in the war. Lacking any public infrastructure at the time, the paper called on residents to repair the bridge themselves. Thanks to that call, residents repaired not only that bridge, but four others as well.

“We’re trying to explain to local media that they can’t just spread information anymore,” says Mr. Pogorelov. “They also need to be helpful.”

Among the many challenges for independent Ukrainian media is finding financing to keep publications afloat. Most local and regional publications are operating with zero income, and rely heavily on donations or help from non-profits.

But the desire to do more, with less, continues. And independent Ukrainian journalists remain an inspiration.

“This award is a chance to highlight every single journalist working in Ukraine, but also those outside the country,” says Ms. Brovko, from AIRPPU. “Ukrainian journalists can feel very alone in what they’re doing. But this award is a reminder that they’re making really valued journalism.”