Freedom House programs in Ukraine:
Shining a Light on Corruption in Ukraine
Program DescriptionFreedom House works with the Institute for Mass Information (IMI) in Ukraine to improve coverage of corruption and to inject a public discussion about corruption and governance into local affairs through citizen journalism. We conduct workshops in Ukraine’s regions to train journalists and bloggers to conduct investigations and write about corruption, especially as it related to the recent election and in local governance. Freedom House sponsors a platform (www.nikorupciji.org) to publish investigative articles on corruption, many of which would not be published elsewhere due to their sensitivity. Workshop participants and others are contributing to the platform with articles and video reports about investigations, news on corruption, columns and blogs, and are developing an online community of anti-corruption activists and journalists. |
Program Updates
The program’s www.nikorupciji.org platform is rapidly filling up with innovative investigative pieces about corrupt acts and schemes occurring across Ukraine. Recent hard-hitting investigations include:
- Great Spoils in a Small Hospital
- It’s a Long Road to the Mint
- In Kyiv, They Can Seize Your Land, But Only if You’re Poor
- Brain Business: Kyiv Neurosurgeons use a Linear Accelerator Purchased with Public Funds for Their Own Business
- At the Kharkiv University of Internal Affairs a Revolt is Brewing as Students Refuse to Pay Bribes in Shakedown
- Viktor Pshonka Promotes Bribe Takers
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Launch of Nikorupciji.org Platform
Freedom House and IMI launched the web platform www.nikorupciji.org in October 2012 at the Glavkom news agency in Kyiv. At the launch event three workshop participants spoke about how the skills they learned at the trainings will help them uncover corruption in their communities and contribute to the site. The event was covered in numerous media outlets including IMI, Channel 5, Day, Radio Svoboda, Lviv Newspaper, RegioNews, Yurincom, Golos UA, Relax Info, and Civil Society Portal.
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Workshops throughout Ukraine
Freedom House and IMI conducted training workshops for civil-society activists, bloggers, and journalists on how to cover corruption and other important community issues. Workshops were conducted in Lugansk, Tornopil, Khersen, and Kyiv in the summer and fall of 2012 and included several dozen journalists and bloggers active on the local level across Ukraine.
Workshop participants in Lugansk discuss the legal basis for access to information in Ukraine. More photos of the workshop are available here.
Workshop participants in Ternopil learn about standards of investigative journalism. More photos of the workshop are available here.
Defending LGBT Rights in Ukraine
Program Updates
Freedom House supports LGBTI rights activists in Ukraine and advocates on the national and international level for respect for the rights of LGBT people and activists by the Ukrainian authorities. Upcoming initiatives on LGBTI rights in Ukraine include building the capacity of Ukrainian LGBTI rights advocates to engage the media to improve coverage of LGBTI people and LGBTI rights on- and off-line. By harnessing Freedom House's worldwide experience and best practices developed by LGBTI activists in Russia and elsewhere, Freedom House helps give voice to Ukrainian LGBTI rights activists, to amplify their message, and to strengthen local groups’ ability to push for greater respect for human rights.