InterMedia Experts Brief Ukrainian Journalists on Digital Technology Use in Eurasia |
| 24 April 2008 |
Twenty-three young Ukrainian journalists, in the U.S. to participate in a 10-month program to garner practical information on new media, visited InterMedia headquarters in Washington, D.C., for an update on media use, trends and challenges in the countries of the former Soviet Union, especially Ukraine. Led by experts from InterMedia’s Eurasian team, the discussion touched on internet use in Ukraine and in the region, the influence and trustworthiness of Russian media, and the technical challenges inherent in digitally collecting and distributing information. Drawing on the results of nearly a dozen quantitative surveys InterMedia has conducted over the past few years, the team was able to paint a vivid picture of the evolving digital media scene in the region. Internet use remains low in most countries; Belarus tops the list at 20 percent weekly internet use, followed by Russia and Moldova at 15 percent, and Ukraine at 13 percent. Reasons for the slow growth are varied: broadband remains limited due to poor infrastructure, and even dial-up use is an expense beyond the reach of many. Television is the most-used information and entertainment source across the board; Russian TV in particular has a strong presence in all the former republics, although it is not always welcome or trusted. The visiting journalists shared their opinions on the state of the media in their own country. They named web content protection and website profitability as main challenges for internet news providers there. Most also feel that, in general, there is still no independent media in Ukraine; nearly all fall under the influence of political parties or moguls, and are driven primarily by money and advertising. However, interference from central authorities, a la pre-Orange revolution days, no longer seems to be a factor. The study program, sponsored by the charitable foundation, Development of Ukraine, and administered by the Graduate School of Journalism at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, aims to improve the new media skills of these visiting journalists, and to convey how U.S. news providers merge TV, radio and print media with new technologies, such as internet and SMS.Other recent news:
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