The Director General of Swedish Radio (Sveriges Radio), Cilla Benkö, and Chief of Staff Gabriel Byström visited Suspilne Ukraine on January 23–25 to learn more about how the media operates under wartime conditions. They saw how teams at Suspilne’s central office in Kyiv and regional branches in Cherkasy and Uzhhorod have organized broadcasting amid emergencies, blackouts, and security threats.
“This is our third visit to Ukraine over the past two years. We travel here to better understand what it is like to work in journalism under the most extreme circumstances, and what conclusions can be drawn regarding the ability to develop preparedness and continuity. It is clear that many people are more exhausted today than before, yet no one we meet has given up. I am deeply impressed by the professionalism, loyalty, and dedication to the mission shown by Suspilne’s staff,” said Cilla Benkö, Director General of Swedish Radio.
In Kyiv, the delegation met with Mykola Chernotytskyi, Chair of the Management Board of Suspilne Ukraine, as well as teams from News, Technical Operations, Risk Management, and Compliance. The meetings focused on how constant stress affects people, how newsrooms operate during power outages, changes in planning approaches, digital transformation, and the use of technology and artificial intelligence.
“We operate in an environment of constant risks while at the same time having to ensure continuity of broadcasting, audience trust, and editorial independence. Support and professional dialogue with colleagues from Swedish Radio are an important signal of international solidarity and support for Suspilne Ukraine,” said Mykola Chernotytskyi, Chair of the Management Board of Suspilne Ukraine.
“Crises can be overcome if you prepare for them systematically, assess risks, and build clear processes. It is important for us to share our own experience of working during the war, in particular with partners from Swedish Radio, while also receiving feedback. We equally value the attention and support of the international journalism community for Ukraine during this difficult period,” said Valeriia Bezpala, Director of the International Cooperation Department at Suspilne Ukraine.
During the visit to Suspilne Cherkasy, Branch Manager Vita Smahlii, Editor-in-Chief Nina Voloshchuk, and Output Editor of Ukrainian Radio Cherkasy Alona Nikolenko demonstrated the branch’s technical capabilities for uninterrupted production during blackouts, the upgraded radio studio equipment, and working conditions for the team.
“The representatives of Swedish Radio were particularly impressed by the cohesion of the Suspilne team and its well-coordinated work to provide timely and verified information to the public. During the visit, the guests also spoke with local residents and saw the high level of trust in Suspilne Ukraine. They heard personal stories about how people respond to danger, take care of their own safety during shelling, and live under constant threats,” shared Vita Smahlii, Branch Manager of Suspilne Cherkasy.
The work of Suspilne Uzhhorod across television, radio, and digital platforms was presented to the guests by Branch Manager Vasyl Stoika, Production Producer Yevhen Tychyna, and Line Producer Veronika Moroz. The meeting addressed the branch’s role as Suspilne’s backup broadcasting center and as a production hub for the live project “Suspilne. Studio.” Separate discussions focused on broadcasting from shelters and operations during emergencies. The guests were also shown the museum of television and radio equipment, studios, production facilities, and the newsroom.
“Our Swedish colleagues were very interested in the radio studios based at the branch and in how radio broadcasting is organized here. We talked about the backup studio of Ukrainske Radio and how, in case of threats to the main production centers, broadcasting can be carried out from Uzhhorod. There was also time for informal conversation—about Zakarpattia, about Ukraine, and about the challenges the country faces during the full-scale war. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The colleagues from Sweden, as true professionals, asked many questions and were well informed about how the country functions under martial law. Time flew by, and after a short photo session, we saw our guests off on their return journey home,” said Yevhen Tychyna, Production Producer at Suspilne Uzhhorod.
Suspilne Ukraine is an independent media company with a strong presence across all platforms: the TV channels Pershyi, Suspilne Kultura, Suspilne Sport, and a national network of local channels; the radio stations Ukrainske Radio, Radio Promin, Radio Kultura, Radiotochka. Find only verified news on suspilne.media, as well as on our national and local digital platforms. We broadcast in minority languages, represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, develop the children’s platform Brobaks, and train media professionals through the Public Media Academy. Our Suspilne Mediateka platform offers unique video and audio archives dating from the 1920s to today. Defending freedom in Ukraine.
