At the recent “Global Crisis of Journalism” conference in Ankara, held in conjunction with the European Federation of Journalists’ annual meetings, Sergiy Tomilenko, head of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), delivered a sobering assessment of the state of global media. Addressing an international audience, Tomilenko argued that Russia is engaged in a systematic, multi-front war that extends far beyond the physical borders of Ukraine. He characterized Moscow’s strategy as an assault on the very concept of truth, utilizing both technological advancement and brutal repression to dismantle independent media networks and silence those who bear witness to the realities of conflict.
Tomilenko highlighted the dual-pronged nature of Russia’s methodology, which combines high-tech manipulation with primitive, draconian censorship. According to his address, Russia is leveraging artificial intelligence on an unprecedented scale to launch massive, automated disinformation campaigns designed to erode public trust in verified facts. Simultaneously, the Kremlin continues to enforce a policy of absolute silence in occupied territories,, turning regions like Crimea into “propaganda sanctuaries” where factual reporting is criminalized. By targeting anyone who documents the reality on the ground, Moscow is effectively attempting to erase the historical record.
The personal cost of this war against information was a focal point of Tomilenko’s remarks, as he paid tribute to the journalists and civilian reporters currently languishing in Russian prisons. He made specific reference to the tragic death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriya Roshchina, noting that her loss has become a grim symbol of the perils faced by media workers under Russian captivity. Tomilenko emphasized that these individuals are often detained on fabricated charges specifically meant to neutralize their ability to reveal the truth about the repression occurring in occupied lands.
A poignant moment of the conference occurred when Tomilenko met with Nariman Dzhelyal, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey. Once a journalist and human rights activist imprisoned by Russia in occupied Crimea, Dzhelyal’s journey from a political prisoner to a high-ranking diplomat served as a powerful testimony to the efficacy of international advocacy. Tomilenko reminded the audience that, years ago, global journalistic organizations stood in united opposition to Dzhelyal’s incarceration. His eventual release and subsequent professional transition serve as a tangible reminder that sustained pressure from the international community is not merely a symbolic gesture, but a vital tool that can save lives and secure freedom.
In his concluding remarks, Tomilenko issued a rallying cry for continued international solidarity, asserting that Russia’s ultimate goal is for the world to lose interest in those who remain imprisoned. He urged the global press community to reject complacency, emphasizing that if journalists stop speaking out for their captured colleagues, the aggressors win. Maintaining visibility for imprisoned reporters is a moral obligation for the global media fraternity, and Tomilenko stressed that every resolution, statement, and campaign provides a lifeline that can eventually force the release of those held behind bars.
The conference in Ankara served as a broader reflection on the evolving landscape of media safety, which is now increasingly intertwined with physical survival. As if to underscore the dangers journalists face, the event coincided with reports of Ukrainian media workers receiving modernized security equipment, such as drone detectors, to navigate the hazards of the frontline. Ultimately, the gathering underscored a critical realization: in the age of AI-driven disinformation and total war, the protection of facts must be treated as a matter of global security, requiring consistent, courageous, and unified action from all who value the freedom of expression.