Monitoring mission under MIP is studying the influence of media on the population in ATO zone

Advisor to the Minister on ensuring TV and Radio Broadcasting Oleksandr Brygynets, who locates in ATO area, visited the town of Ukrainsk in Donetsk region.

During the visit, Advisor has conducted a survey among the population about the needs in the coverage of important events in ATO zone and, in particular, what the mass media influence public opinion.

In addition, Oleksandr Brygynets had a working meeting with the mayor of the city Serhii Yashchenko, who believes that not much truthful information is displayed about life on the other side. In his view the local channels had to respond hard to all the misinformation regarding the situation in Donbas on both sides of the line of contact. The city is located on the information border – on one hand the Ukrainian TV channels from Krasnoarmiisk are seen here, but on the other hand the separatist media are seen here too.

Advisor from ATO zone reports: "People here are constantly discussing the news from both sides. It is a pity that the Ukrainian media do not react quickly to the lies of "otherworldly" stories. People understand everything and do not trust the propagandists, but this position of people had to be maintained by the facts from the Ukrainian media, but they, unfortunately, often do not elaborate in this direction".

In addition, Oleksandr Brygynets said that the people complain about the media, both local and national, which are interested only in resonance events, troubles, and don't highlight the real problems and needs of a dying city.

Following the visit, during the next meeting of the Commission under MIP on ensuring stable operation of national TV and Radio broadcasting, the opportunities of installation of broadcasting equipment in the above mentioned region to enhance the signals of Ukrainian broadcasters will be discussed. In addition, in the framework of the monitoring mission of MIP, Oleksandr Brygynets will meet with local media during which will explain the work features and media coverage in the regions in accordance with the needs of the public by attracting qualified specialists.