About us

National Association of Media, NAM (titled the Independent Association of Broadcasters before December 2019) is the largest professional organization that represents the interests of 150 members, both powerful national networks and smaller regional and local media in their efforts to develop the professional media sector. Our team unites over 20 experienced lawyers, media experts, sociologists, journalists, and analysts working for the NAM mission to protect freedom of speech, develop a free media market and contribute to beneficial and sustainable media businesses. NAM has over 20 years of experience in advocacy, legal support and implementing industrial events, 10 years in providing media research and training programs, and 5 years in TV/ radio content production and co-production.

In 2022-2023, NAM supported 74 national, regional and local media companies affected by the war through its small grants program (from 850 to 15 000 USD per grant) to cover their key needs and stimulate content production. As an output, the supported media outlets produced more than 2,800 content pieces since March 2022. This helped to preserve the access of millions of Ukrainians to regional and local news.

When the Ukrainian media had just started recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 23 months of hostilities, Russia committed around 558 crimes against the journalists and media in Ukraine including ruining of editorial offices, shelling of TV-towers, cybercrimes, etc.

In March 2022, Ukraine’s advertising market was destroyed and till the summer of 2022, the vast majority of Ukrainian media companies had no income. According to All-Ukrainian Advertising Coalition, if to compare the size of the whole advertising market in Ukraine in 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and its size in 2023, it recovered by around 52%.

In such conditions, media companies not only had to reduce staff and significantly decrease content production, they also accumulated debts. Due to Russia’s regular missile attacks on the cities as well as power outages introduced as a result of attacks on power plants, media outlets lost their equipment. Thus, at the end of 2022, the number of companies that stopped operations increased. Particularly significant number of such media are local and hyperlocal ones.

The extended war with Russia will leave many Ukrainian cities without local media what will be a substantial loss for numerous communities. Therefore, our priority is to support the affected by the war Ukrainian media and provide them with short-term grants and equipment to continue operations during wartime and hold on until the victory of Ukraine.

After Ukraine’s victory, the Ukrainian media will require a prompt recovery. Independent newsrooms will need funds, knowledge and equipment to return the teams, resume content production and establish new business processes in accordance with the changed circumstances.

As follows, the Ukrainian post-war media will be strong and able to support the recovery of Ukrainian society only if they achieve and maintain a new level of quality, as well as master the latest content production and media business models.

To this end, we aim to provide the Ukrainian media professionals with the access to the best global knowledge, medium-term grants and equipment crucial for recovery.

Russia’s full-scale invasion destroyed the economy of the media in Ukraine. Therefore, they minimized content production predominantly focusing on news programs. At the same time, Ukrainians ask for diverse content that will help them comprehend the consequences of war, create conditions for dialogue about the future, support Ukrainian values and culture, better understand the world, or simply distract and relax.

Accordingly, our priority is to stimulate the production of national content covering particularly important issues including fighting disinformation, psychological health during wartime, community resilience, tolerance and equality, as well as provide the Ukrainian media with the opportunity to distribute high-quality content produced by colleagues from different countries.

To enhance the resilience of the Ukrainian media during wartime, ensure their immediate recovery and support the production of diverse high quality content for the Ukrainian audience, the platform provides the donation instrument. All donated funds are distributed under the small grants program among the media in need by the Ukrainian Media Allies Program Council according to the priorities identified by the Supervisory Board. In order to be supported, the newsrooms have to submit the application form. The Program Council assesses the applications on a semi-annual basis.

To keep working, media companies in Ukraine need different kinds of equipment, including portable charging stations, uninterruptible power supply stations, generators, editing stations, filming equipment, sound equipment, light equipment, office equipment, etc. Moreover, some of the media require servers to store the archives and edit the footage as well as post-production software.

To send used or new equipment to the Ukrainian media, please, fill in the online form specifying what equipment you would like to donate. Our specialist will contact you to negotiate the details.

As a media professional, you can donate your time and conduct a free training, coaching session or consultation for colleagues from Ukraine. You can also donate the rights to translate your books into Ukrainian or adapt and publish your self-education courses for media professionals. Based on the knowledge donations, the Association’s education center Ukrainian Media E-School will prepare a comprehensive training program covering different topics, ensure the organization of all education events as well as the translation of all education materials. Both events and materials will be free of charge for the Ukrainian media specialists.

To donate your knowledge, fill in the online form and our specialist will contact you to negotiate the details.

Through the platform, you can provide the Ukrainian media with the rights to distribute your content in Ukraine (e.g. culinary programs, travel shows, talent shows, programs about premises decoration and renovation, makeovers, documentaries, historical programs, programs about famous personalities, etc.). All received content will be translated into Ukrainian and will be provided for further distribution to the Ukrainian media free of charge.

To donate the rights to distribute your content, fill in the online form and our specialist will contact you to negotiate the details.

The Ukrainian Media Allies Supervisory Board consists of seven members, among which are the representatives of media associations supporting the project, as well as international and national media experts. The Supervisory Board meets every six months to identify the Ukrainian Media Allies priorities and approve the workplan. Annually, the Supervisory Board checks the use of funds and approves the activity and audit reports.

The Program Council consists of seven members, among which are Ukrainian media development experts, the representatives of NGOs, research companies, tech companies, etc. The composition of the Program Council is approved by the Supervisory Board. The Program Council meets every six months to evaluate the applications submitted by the Ukrainian media in need and distribute the received funds among them considering the priorities identified by the Supervisory Board.

Activity reports, reports on the use of funds and audit reports will be provided below.