ISSUE

Spring 2022

Fighting for a Free Press in Ukraine — and Beyond

In recent years, journalism in Ukraine and other post-Soviet states has been in flux, with editorial independence reliant on foreign entities, funding in constant deficit, and press freedoms wavering. Now, as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to drag on, the work of journalists in the country has become more urgent — and dangerous — than ever.

As civilian deaths mount, journalists, too, have lost their lives reporting on the war’s horrors. Nieman Reports takes a look at how Ukrainian journalists are reporting on the war in their home, the costs of reporting accurately on the invasion, and the growing threats to press freedom under Putin.

Articles

Dr. Ashish Jha on Bracing for the Pandemic’s Third Year

Dr. Ashish Jha on Bracing for the Pandemic’s Third Year

The leading public health expert discusses the press’ role in relaying public health directives, combating misinformation, and more
In Putin’s War on Ukraine, Journalists Are Targets, Too

In Putin’s War on Ukraine, Journalists Are Targets, Too

Brent Renaud, a Nieman Fellow killed in Ukraine while working on a documentary about refugees, practiced a journalism of humility, humanity, and empathy
Covering The War in Ukraine: "The Putin Regime Doesn’t Want Eye Witnesses"

Covering The War in Ukraine: “The Putin Regime Doesn’t Want Eye Witnesses”

Prior to the invasion, few Ukrainian journalists had experience working in conflict zones. Now the war has come to their homes
Serious Problems Demand Serious Data

Serious Problems Demand Serious Data

Polling standards are the antidote to bad survey data
The Midterms Are Coming. Here's How to Cover Polling

The Midterms Are Coming. Here’s How to Cover Polling

In an age of hyper-partisanship, adding context to survey data is key to giving audiences the full picture
Reporting in Ukraine: “This War is Unpredictable and Deadly Like No Other”

Reporting in Ukraine: “This War is Unpredictable and Deadly Like No Other”

Russia’s brutally simple Ukraine strategy poses new risks for journalists
By Diversifying Newsrooms, We Find People’s Full Humanity

By Diversifying Newsrooms, We Find People’s Full Humanity

This is a subheadWhy opening up documentary filmmaking is important for both the storytellers and the communities we cover
The History of Tuberculosis Holds Lessons For Modern Day Public Health

The History of Tuberculosis Holds Lessons For Modern Day Public Health

Vidya Krishnan, NF ’21, on writing her debut non-fiction book “Phantom Plague”  Dec. 20, 2016, was one of those winter mornings in New Delhi, India when everything was enveloped in…
Putin Shuts Down Russia's Free Press for Reporting Accurately on Ukraine

Putin Shuts Down Russia’s Free Press for Reporting Accurately on Ukraine

The crackdown on independent news outlets takes Russia back to the Soviet era
Fighting for A Free Press in Ukraine — and Beyond

Fighting for A Free Press in Ukraine — and Beyond

As Ukrainians defend their country against the Russian invasion, journalists there and in other post-Soviet states guard their fragile press freedoms
Call Out Bigotry in Reporting on the Ukraine Invasion

Call Out Bigotry in Reporting on the Ukraine Invasion

How journalists cover armed conflict shouldn’t hinge on the color of people’s skin or the color of their hair
An NPR Series Reconsiders the Question: “Where Are You From?”

An NPR Series Reconsiders the Question: “Where Are You From?”

Through intergenerational conversations, 2021 visiting fellow Anjuli Sastry Krbechek highlights how immigrant communities of color grapple with their own identities When I first came up with the idea for “Where…
A Lucky Break Leads To A Book About Covid Vaccines

A Lucky Break Leads To A Book About Covid Vaccines

David Heath, NF ’06, kept digging until he found the scientists behind the mRNA researchIn the pandemic’s early days, I tried to persuade Moderna’s press handlers to give me a…
Why Immigration Coverage Needs to Center Migrants' Stories

Why Immigration Coverage Needs to Center Migrants’ Stories

It's time to ditch the question, “does this hurt Democrats or Republicans more?"
Want to Make Real Progress in Newsroom DEI? Audience Engagement is Essential

Want to Make Real Progress in Newsroom DEI? Audience Engagement is Essential

Most newsrooms think of diversity and inclusion work as an internal affair, but those efforts won’t succeed in a bubble

Masthead

Publisher
Ann Marie Lipinski
Editor
James Geary
Senior Editor
Laura Colarusso
Assistant Editor
Natalie De Rosa
Designer
Dan Zedek
Cover Photo
Ukraine Defense Ministry/Eyepress News via AFP