"I am grateful to Internews, which was one of the first non-governmental organizations that were helping us in Ukraine. I specifically wanted to thank Internews for their support not only before the Orange Revolution but I’m extremely grateful to Internews as the organization that understands the role of the media after the Orange Revolution when we do not want our achievements to slip."
— Natalia Ligacheva, editor of Telekritika, a Ukrainian media watchdog, at the 2008 Internews Media Leadership Awards
View Natalia Ligacheva's speech:
Natalia Ligacheva is the editor of Telekritika, a Ukrainian web-based media watchdog (now also a radio program and printed magazine), launched in 2001 as Ligacheva’s response to censorship by her editors at the Ukrainian newspaper Den. Telekritika is an open forum for critical media analysis, where journalists, politicians, and the community can discuss pressing questions of ethics and reporting standards.
Ligacheva played a crucial role in Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, spearheading a journalists’ movement that publicly denounced censorship and political pressure and vowed to uphold professional principles. “Media issues may change, but our goals remain the same,” says Ligacheva. “We see our mission as strengthening professional journalism in Ukraine by stimulating politicians, authorities, media owners, and journalists to realize the important public role of the media as the ‘watchdog of democracy’.”
Recently Ligacheva was awarded the title of “Honored Journalist of Ukraine” by President Viktor Yushchenko for her tremendous personal contributions to the development of constitutional principles of the Ukrainian national state system, enduring and conscientious work, and high level of professionalism.
On June 2, the Center for International Media Assistance held a discussion with Natalia Ligacheva - After the Orange Revolution: Changes in the Media Landscape in Ukraine. The discussion was co-sponsored by Internews Network. View video of the event
View a short video about Ligacheva's accomplishments:
Natalia Ligacheva is the editor of Telekritika, a Ukrainian web-based media watchdog (now also a radio program and printed magazine), launched in 2001 as Ligacheva’s response to censorship by her editors at the Ukrainian newspaper Den. Telekritika is an open forum for critical media analysis, where journalists, politicians, and the community can discuss pressing questions of ethics and reporting standards. 