The influence of Ukrainian media on public opinion and public life is undeniably significant. It is crucial to acknowledge that this impact can be both positive and negative, given the media’s potential to disseminate misinformation and contribute to the formation of stereotypes. In an effort to better understand the media landscape, IREX in cooperation with Media Development Foundation has conducted an assessment “Stereotypes and hate speech against internally displaced persons in regional media content” specifically focusing on how Ukrainian media covers issues related to internally displaced persons (IDPs). Key findings from this assessment are outlined below.  

Coverage of IDPs in the Media: Research 

Since 2016, when  IREX began implementing programs with a specific focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs), program research has revealed that Ukrainian media tend to publish materials that negatively portray IDPs. This tendency further amplifies destabilizing factors and contributes to the formation of negative stereotypes about IDPs. 

Recognizing the critical role that media plays in shaping and mobilizing public opinion, IREX, in collaboration with the Media Development Foundation, published the “Media Research on Hate Speech and Stereotypes Regarding IDPs” report. Using the Media Content Analysis Tool (MCAT) – an IREX tool for media content analysis, the report analyzes media coverage of IDPs and topics related to internal displacement as a results of Russia’s invasion. The research, conducted from December 2022 to January 2023, analyzed  231 publications from regional media across 25 communities.  

The results show that 57.1% of the analyzed materials in the sample have the potential to be beneficial for IDPs. The designation beneficial could include news announcements or articles that provide information on where IDPs can seek assistance for specific issues, or contact details of organizations offering consultation or support. At the same time, regional media content is oriented towards information that comes from government authorities and state structures at the local and national levels (52.9% of the sample), with only 12% comprising original materials. 

Among the analyzed materials, there is a tendency to depict IDPs as destitute, unfortunate individuals who had to flee from the war. This portrayal is shaped by the following factors: 

Tone of the Materials: Expression of feelings of pity and sympathy towards IDPs. 

Insufficient Individual Stories of IDPs: Only 43 publications (18.6%) out of 231 highlight personal stories, thoughts, and comments from IDPs. The rest consist of factual information, reprinted press releases, and news announcements. 

Another key finding was that media outlets tend to promote general stereotypes that exist around IDPs. During the analysis, the following stereotypes regarding IDPs were identified: 

Prompting Accusations of Violations Related to the War: Specifically, accusations of evading military duties and attempts of illegal border crossing, dissemination of propaganda, and support of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Such publications often involve implicit statements potentially creating a negative image of IDPs and prompting public perceptions that IDPs are to blame for the onset of the war. 

Gender Stereotypes: Stories about women among IDPs, especially those with children, tend to be portrayed differently from stories about male IDPs. The latter are more likely to be framed within a criminal context, particularly regarding evasion from military service. 

Portrayal of IDPs as a Threat to Freedom, Health, and Life: Although not directly indicating the category of IDPs, there is stigmatization on the basis of geographical origin. For instance, during the analysis, a news item was found about a resident of Dnipro who ‘opened fire in the center of Lviv.’ This kind of reporting indirectly associates IDPs with threats to public safety, health, and life. 

Course on Sensitive Journalism 

As a result of this research, IREX developed an educational course on sensitive journalism titled “Focus on the Human: Media’s Work with Sensitive Topics”. The course enhances the skills of media representatives in dealing with sensitive topics, avoiding stereotypes and hostile language regarding IDPs, and improving the objectivity and quality of content related to IDPs. 

The course was developed by experienced media experts, human rights activists, and psychotherapists with expertise in working with individuals who have experienced traumatic events due to war. In total, 204 individuals joined the course, delving into the theme of internal displacement in Ukraine and learning how to work with adults and children who have experienced traumatic events such as war, loss of home and loved ones, sexual violence, captivity, and torture. Participants also learned how to react appropriately to the emotions of the subjects in journalistic materials and preserve their psychological well-being when dealing with sensitive topics. A specific focus was placed on working with internally displaced persons. It highlighted how to talk to and about IDPs, debunk stereotypes, and establish strong ties between IDPs and host communities with the help of media coverage. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to receive individual consultations with experts on how to write articles and produce materials on sensitive topics. 

“I really liked that there were very narrowly focused and professional speakers, very specific topics, which is very rare to see in such short-term courses. Usually, you need to take a one-year course, and if you are lucky, there will be maybe one or two lectures that will provide you with such knowledge and skills. Secondly, as an editor, I would teach this course to all the journalists, right in journalism schools, because you paid a lot of attention to tonality, language, and appropriate terminology, emphasizing what is legally and ethically correct or what is not – all these things are very useful. The lecture on interviewing children was very useful for me personally.”

Oleksandra, Kyiv-based freelance journalist with 17 years of experience working.

A Practical Guide to Sensitive Journalism 

In addition to the training course, IREX has developed a practical guide on sensitive journalism, compiling the research findings and insights from the course. The guide targets  media professionals working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other groups that have experienced traumatic events due to war and is titled ‘Focus on the Individual: Media Work with Sensitive Topics.’ 

This guide provides concise yet practical information and tips on how to work with and write about adults and children who have undergone traumatic events such as the war, loss of home and loved ones, sexual violence, captivity, and torture. Special attention is given to journalists’ work with internally displaced people. The guide covers ethical aspects of working with sensitive topics and ways to take care of one’s mental health while dealing with those who have experienced traumatic events. The guide also includes the full results of the research on ‘“Media Research on Hate Speech and Stereotypes Regarding IDPs”. 

To obtain the guide, please following the link.