Media Professionalism in Covering Socially Sensitive Content ‎During The Russo-Ukrainian War

  • Authors

    • Nataliia Shulska Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine
    • Volodymyr Sadivnychyi Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine
    • Olena Afanasieva Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics, Kharkiv, Ukraine
    • Nataliia Zhelikhovska Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
    • Oksana Dubetska Ukrainian State Drahomanov University, Kyiv, Ukraine
    • Andrii Borets Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine
    https://doi.org/10.14419/y624bv45

    Received date: June 9, 2025

    Accepted date: July 4, 2025

    Published date: July 15, 2025

  • Ethics; Journalistic Standards; Media Professionalism; Mobilization; Russo-Ukrainian War; Socially Sensitive Content

  • Abstract

    The article analyzes modern media professionals' approaches to covering socially sensitive content and creating effective communication. It is ‎noted that in the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the concept of socially sensitive journalism has acquired special importance, ‎because editorial offices are faced with tragedies and human suffering every day, raise socially important topics, and fight Russian ‎disinformation. The object of our research was mobilization communication, because the attention of Ukrainian society today is drawn ‎mainly to it to a great extent. The material for scientific research was journalistic publications from Ukrainian online media that relate to ‎the topic of mobilization and the activities of centers for manning and social support (TCK and SP). Materials were selected and analyzed, ‎including headlines that demonstrate value judgments, ethically incorrect nominations, emotionally colored formulations, determining ‎positive and negative practices of presenting the topic of mobilization in the information space, and affecting the public mood of ‎Ukrainians in war conditions. The challenges that Ukrainian media professionals face today when covering the topic of mobilization include ‎investigated: ineffective state communication, constant updating of legislation, ambiguous comments on this phenomenon by officials, and ‎hostile information attacks. The great responsibility in covering this topic by journalists was noted, as well as the mandatory observance of ‎professional standards of reliability, accuracy, completeness, accessibility of information, maintaining a balance of opinions and points of ‎view, and separating facts from value judgments. The importance of ethical norms was emphasized in compliance with the Code ‎of Ethics of a Ukrainian Journalist. Recommendations are given for professional media coverage and the creation of correct mobilization ‎communication through subtopics that concern Ukrainians the most: motivation to fulfill civic duty and voluntary entry into the ranks of the ‎Armed Forces of Ukraine, compliance with legislative norms, the rights of mobilized people, fairness in decision-making, effective ‎interaction of the TCK with units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Examples of positive practice are human-centricity and coverage of ‎motivational stories, showing examples of successful mobilization. It is concluded that only by adhering to the principles of responsibility ‎and professionalism, media professionals will be able to cover this topic qualitatively, without harming Ukraine’s defense capability and the ‎approach to victory‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Shulska, N., Sadivnychyi, V. . ., Afanasieva, O. . ., Zhelikhovska , N. ., Dubetska, O. . ., & Borets, A. . (2025). Media Professionalism in Covering Socially Sensitive Content ‎During The Russo-Ukrainian War. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 14(3), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.14419/y624bv45