Behind the war coverage: RE:Cover Ukraine engaged 146 fixers in the first stage of its project

RE:Cover Ukraine has helped build the core of a professional network of Ukrainian fixers. The first stage of our project, implemented with the support of the International Solidarity Fund of the Danish Union of Journalists, has now come to an end. Alongside local producers, media professionals and journalism students also took part.

We discussed the specifics of the profession, exchanged experiences and identified the main challenges fixers face when working for international media outlets.

“The biggest discovery was seeing how many people were willing to step into the public space, make themselves known and do something useful for their country,” says Artem Perfilov, a member of the RE:Cover Ukraine board who coordinates the project.

We launched the project last September with the first meeting in Kyiv. It took place alongside a conference for investigative journalists organized by the Institute for Regional Press Development (IRRP).

The following spring, the project continued through cooperation with Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University and Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. On April 14–15, Artem Perfilov and Morten Hansen spoke to journalism students about the specifics of the fixer profession. In Lutsk, the discussion was organized together with the Department of Social Communications at the Faculty of Philology and Journalism, while in Lviv it was held in cooperation with the student union of the Faculty of Journalism.

In June, Artem Perfilov held four small professional meetings with active fixers and local producers. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss their day-to-day work and professional needs in greater detail.

“I was surprised by how many people successfully work as fixers without any previous media experience. Some of them are already on the staff of major international media outlets,” Artem explains.

The first stage of the project was wrapped up during the RE:Cover Ukraine international seminar, “Strengthening Cross-Border Media Cooperation Through Ukraine’s Recovery.” Participants discussed the role of fixers in covering Ukraine’s recovery and their importance to international journalists working with local contexts.

Overall, 146 participants took part in our activities.

However, the project was about more than a series of meetings. It helped develop a clearer understanding of what fixers and local producers need to work professionally and safely. Participants exchanged practical experience on accreditation, contracts, taxation, safety equipment and working conditions.

“People understand very well that it is not enough to just ask for something — you also have to give something in return,” Artem Perfilov notes.

The project also brought together professionals from several Ukrainian cities and created a space for experienced specialists and newcomers to exchange knowledge. At the same time, it helped highlight the crucial role fixers play in covering the war, supporting international journalism and contributing to the growing body of reporting on Ukraine’s recovery.

One of the most important outcomes is that we managed to bring together a core group of 12 active fixers and local producers. They now stay connected through a shared communication channel, are defining the first areas of responsibility and discussing potential joint projects.

The project has therefore already moved beyond its initial stage of identifying common problems and needs. A professional network is gradually taking shape, and the first elements of its structure are already working.

What’s next?

During the next stage, our goal is to turn this network into a sustainable professional community. Together with the core group, RE:Cover Ukraine will develop practical initiatives, strengthen peer-to-peer exchange and explore opportunities for further professional and international cooperation.

We have confirmed that there is a real need for such a network, as well as strong interest from the professional community. Our task now is to help it grow into an active and useful resource for fixers and local producers.