Reporting on Ukraine: Reconciling Advocacy and Impartiality

Russia's war against Ukraine has raised fundamental questions about the role and responsibilities of journalism during armed conflict. Journalists are traditionally expected to remain objective, impartial, and independent. Yet these principles become increasingly complicated when reporting on a war that directly affects one's own country, community, and family. Can journalists remain impartial when covering a war in which they have a personal stake? Where is the boundary between journalism and political advocacy? And what happens when accurate reporting has consequences for international public opinion, foreign policy, and national security? This panel brings together Ukrainian journalists, Kateryna Lisunova and Tanya Kozyreva, to explore the ethical and political dilemmas of wartime reporting. Drawing on their experiences in political journalism, investigative reporting, and media advocacy, the speakers will examine the relationship between journalistic responsibility, independent reporting, and the political implications of one's work.