Bulgarian conflict journalist Ruslan Trad provides guidance for reporting responsibly on Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is a test for media and journalists from the Balkans. Many of the journalists risking their lives to report from the conflict do not have the professional resources, insurance or production teams of their peers from global media companies. To help support journalists bringing important coverage from Ukraine, Ruslan Trad a journalist who has reported from Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan, has put together recommendations for responsible conflict reporting.
The first thing to note is that against the background of the military conflict in Ukraine, we must all pay special attention when sharing footage and content related to the movement of people, military equipment, and statements of political figures.
There are significant difficulties in accessing information related to the hostilities in Ukraine. At first, it was difficult to pinpoint the location and timing of footage, as the primary source of video footage and images in several regions of Ukraine were produced by civilians taking using their phones. These witnesses are often situated in the middle of an air or artillery attack and are at great risk of injury or worse.
In addition, hybrid hostilities, including media blackouts and information manipulation, hinder clear coverage. Therefore, it is better to wait for verification rather than to risk publishing or sharing what turns out to be incorrect or even examples of disinformation.
For journalists on the ground, protecting personal information must be a priority. In war zones and areas of political instability, media workers are often among the first victims. In Ukraine, journalists and analysts are under fire. A Sky News journalist was injured in an attack by Russian troops in the Kyiv area. A Swiss journalist was wounded and had his equipment stolen in a separate attack.
As in Syria, the movement of foreign journalists is being monitored and their coordinates are being made available to the Russian army and all military formations and networks of interest. There may be casualties among media workers as the conflict progresses.
Journalists should take the following steps to protect themselves:
· Use a VPN service where possible
· Use reliable messaging platforms such as Signal
· Use secure e-mail systems such as ProtonMail or Tutanota
· Do not use SIM cards purchased locally. If this is not possible, only purchase SIM cards from verified sources
· Be wary of sharing your location through images posted online or shared with contacts
If journalists decide to report from the ground, they must keep in mind that there is infiltration in Ukrainian cities. They must take even more care about the information they share when embedded with Ukrainian forces and follow the guidance of the military of what they are safely able to report.
Newsrooms that work with Ukrainian journalists or give the floor to civilians should do their utmost to conceal the exact location of the interviewees, for example by hiding the background. Audiences must always be reminded that the people on the ground are in a war zone and at risk.
Remember, this is a military conflict. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have imposed censorship on information related to the movement of troops and their regrouping. This means a lot of information comes from civilians and non-professionals, who cannot provide high-resolution footage, making authentication even more difficult. Forces from both sides are publishing conflicting figures.
The lack of clear data from Ukraine is close to that of the conflict in Syria. There is no internet access in many areas, telephones do not always work, and there are attacks on the electricity transmission system and road infrastructure. This delays information, and sometimes videos of strikes or the movement of military equipment appear the day after the event. We must be vigilant to protect all those involved in the conflict.
Additional Tools that could help journalists in their work:
Mullvad VPN – a good VPN client that provides security when using data, location and sensitive information; I recommend because of its lightness, the option to block trackers and malware, its accessibility on all platforms and devices, as well as the affordable price, which can be paid without providing personal data;
Fotoforensics – a tool that can help to perform image analysis
Virustotal – a tool with which you can check files for possible viruses before using the file;
Privacy Tools – a portal with recommended programs to use to protect data and ensure online security
StartMe – also a helpful portal with programs and recommendations
Global Investigative Journalism Network – a toolkit for journalists to help with investigations
Chatons – a portal with tools for maintaining communication or creating public folders, sharing documents and others without sharing personal information;
Ruslan Trad is a freelance journalist, and consultant with a focus on Syria, hybrid warfare, and mercenaries. He is a former author at Foreign Policy Bulgaria and the Goethe Institut. He is a member of the Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria and co-founder of Bulgarian journal for conflicts and military history, De Re Militari. He won awards his journalistic work on the Syrian conflict and refugee crisis.
