Hromadske Radio's First Podcast

Andriy Kulykov: You are listening to the first podcast of the new Hromadske Radio in Ukraine.  This is not a full-length feature, but simply an introduction. A few of the members of our group and I want to explain to you why this may be of interest to you, and why this is necessary for us.

We believe every listener should have access to the most important news and balanced analysis of events in Ukraine and in the world. We think that you would like to understand what is happening in the world around you, and to come to your own conclusions. On television and on radio we are often fed false, outdated or second-rate information.

While our attention is focused on unnecessary trivia, our fate is often decided behind our backs.

At times those in power tend to give false information. They want to remain in power at any cost, even at the cost of hiding the true story from you.

There are also politicians who yearn for power. They speak at great length and in great detail about the lies and falsehood of others who are in power. They are often the only ones who attempt to tell the truth, no matter how dangerous this may be, and this encourages trust and admiration. But the goals of the opposition may not always be your goals. Their political triumph, won’t necessarily get you what you wanted.

Owners of media need passive viewers who are glued to the screens. Commercial mass-media see you simply as a wallet, sitting in front of a screen.  They want the advertisements to guide you to make what they consider the most important decision – to open your wallet, and take out your money.

Iryna Slavinska: Hromadske Radio is not a panacea for bad news. It will not provide you with just the most pleasant or sensational news, but it will give you the most important information. The interests of Hromadske Radio journalists coincide with yours. We are both partners and allies.

For the past few months, we have been working on this project for one simple reason: We want to do our jobs honestly. We don’t want to work at the behest of those in power, or politicians or businesses, but rather, we aspire to deliver the latest news in our country and in the world.  It is our goal to be honest, despite censorship and self-censorship.

We want to believe that our approach, our viewpoint, will be shared by hundreds of thousands of people, including you. We believe that the time for Hromadske Radio is now. 

And one more important thing: Why did we decide to focus on radio when the largest audiences watch television? 

Kyrylo Loukerenko: I will answer that. Television is losing its most discerning viewers: the programs are of poor quality, frequently primitive. More and more Ukrainians are turning to the Internet with its news packages, blogs and social networks. We want to be your polished,  up-to-the-minute news and feature package.

We know that you are busy and frequently in motion (commuting, doing sports, or simply out and about), leaving your eyes and hands free. You can hear us on the simplest mobile phones or smartphones, in the bus, on the train, or subway. You have a choice: listen to music, or our programs. With access to the Internet or a Wi-Fi hotspot you can download our podcasts onto your mobile phone or music player.

We have no doubt that as coverage grows, the cost of Internet and mobile phones will decrease, and Hromadske Radio, streaming through your headphones or your car speakers, will become as much a part of your morning commute as newspapers and FM radio used to be.

And there’s one more way that radio is more convenient than the Internet and television. That’s the ability for you to analyze the events of the day, calmly; lots of people do this just before going to bed. Incidentally, this used to be common practice during the Soviet Era.

Back then, television and newspapers showed official reality. But the real information could be found only on the radio. Intelligent people would tune in late in the evening to listen to shortwave radio from abroad.

Andriy Kulykov: We could go on with lofty words about honest journalism and about the times in which we live. But our goal here at Hromadske Radio is simple and not at all heroic. We want to provide you with a service of news and analysis of events, and topical programs by people who know what they are doing.

You can help. Make a donation online today.