Hromadske

Hromadske, originally branded Hromadske.TV, is an independent Ukrainian digital media outlet whose name means “Public.” It was created in the aftermath of a newsroom and ownership crisis at the Ukrainian television channel TVi. Journalist Roman Skrypin first developed the idea in 2012, and after 31 TVi journalists resigned in April 2013, a group of them began organizing a new web-based outlet intended to provide independent and objective reporting. The project was publicly announced in June 2013 by 15 journalists and formally began broadcasting on 22 November 2013. Its launch was brought forward in response to the Ukrainian government’s 21 November 2013 decision to suspend preparations for signing the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement. The first broadcast therefore coincided with the beginning of the Euromaidan period. Hromadske’s live and online coverage of the protests rapidly expanded its audience and established the outlet as a prominent source of independent reporting during a period of intense political pressure and social mobilization. The organization’s journalists also reported being attacked while filming during the protests in Kyiv in November 2013. Hromadske operates as a non-governmental organization rather than a conventional commercial television network. Its publishing model has combined online video, written reporting, live coverage, interviews, investigations, commentary, and explanatory journalism. The outlet has presented itself as independent from political parties and commercial media owners, with funding drawn from individual contributions, institutional grants, and public donations. Early disclosed supporters included foreign diplomatic missions and philanthropic organizations, while the outlet also maintained a public channel for individual donations. The organization expanded its international orientation in 2014 by launching Hromadske International, an English-language initiative intended to explain Ukrainian events to audiences outside the country. That project initially published through a Medium blog and received a separate website in 2015. Hromadske’s work has consequently addressed both domestic Ukrainian audiences and international readers seeking reporting on the Euromaidan, the war involving Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian politics, civil society, and human rights. The outlet has experienced internal governance and leadership changes. Roman Skrypin served as chief executive during the organization’s initial period, followed by Kateryna Horchynska, Maryna Holota, Yuliia Bankova, Yuliia Fediv, and Alyona Nevmerzhytska. A dispute involving Skrypin and the organization’s funds, plans, and hromadske.tv domain led the supervisory board to issue demands in 2016 and was followed by criminal proceedings. A World Intellectual Property Organization proceeding later left the domain with Skrypin. Despite these disputes, Hromadske continued operating as an independent Ukrainian media brand and evolved from a live-streaming project into a broader digital newsroom.

The concept behind Hromadske emerged in September 2012, when journalist Roman Skrypin began considering an independent public-media project. The immediate institutional background was a crisis at TVi. After an ownership dispute in April 2013, 31 TVi journalists resigned, arguing that they could no longer assure audiences of objective and unbiased reporting. The former colleagues announced plans for a web project that would continue the journalistic work in a new organizational setting. The project was formally presented in June 2013 by 15 journalists. Among the journalists associated with its formation were Skrypin, Nataliya Gumenyuk, Mustafa Nayem, and Yuliia Bankova. The outlet was designed as an online broadcaster rather than a traditional television station, reflecting both the founders’ desire for editorial independence and the growing importance of internet distribution in Ukraine. Hromadske had expected to begin in September 2013, but its first broadcast occurred on 22 November. The launch time was moved forward after the Ukrainian government announced on 21 November that it was suspending preparations for an association agreement with the European Union. The decision triggered the Euromaidan protests, and Hromadske’s live reporting became closely associated with the movement. Audience interest increased sharply as the outlet provided coverage from demonstrations and political events that were receiving intense public attention. The organization’s reporting environment was difficult. On 29 November 2013, a Hromadske reporter and a reporter from 5 Kanal said that they had been attacked by physically imposing men in civilian clothing while filming in Kyiv’s Mariinskyi Park. The Hromadske reporter’s camera was damaged and a flash-memory card was taken. The incident illustrated the risks faced by independent journalists during the protests. In 2014, Hromadske broadened its international mission through Hromadske International, an English-language service intended to make Ukrainian developments accessible to non-Ukrainian audiences. The service initially used a Medium blog and later received its own website in 2015. Hromadske’s editorial portfolio continued to include news, live video, political interviews, analysis, investigations, and reporting on the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine. The outlet also faced editorial criticism. In July 2014, presenter Danylo Yanevsky ended an interview with Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch after disagreement over whether the discussion should assign responsibility for civilian casualties in the conflict. The episode generated debate about editorial framing, interview control, and the limits of advocacy-oriented questioning. Hromadske’s governance model has relied on an NGO structure and a mixture of public donations and institutional support. The organization published information about its bank account and received contributions from individuals, diplomatic missions, and philanthropic institutions. Its funding approach was intended to support independence from a single commercial owner, although the variety of funding sources also made transparency and internal controls important organizational concerns. In January 2016, Hromadske’s supervisory board accused Roman Skrypin of appropriating funds and organizational plans. The board requested that he transfer funds connected with the hromadske.tv domain, return money, and explain its use. Criminal proceedings were reported as having been opened in April 2016. In July 2016, a WIPO proceeding concerning the domain did not transfer hromadske.tv to Hromadske and left it with Skrypin. Leadership subsequently passed through several chief executives and chief editors. The organization continued under the Hromadske name and developed from an online live-broadcast experiment into a broader digital newsroom serving Ukrainian and international audiences. Its historical identity remains tied to independent journalism, the Euromaidan, scrutiny of public authorities, and coverage of Ukraine’s political and security crises.

• 2016

  Governance dispute involving Roman Skrypin

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  The supervisory board publicly raises allegations concerning funds, plans, and the organization’s domain.

• 2016

  WIPO domain proceeding

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center rejects Hromadske’s complaint concerning hromadske.tv.

• 2015

  International service receives its own website

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  Hromadske International expands beyond its initial Medium publication.

• 2014

  Hromadske International launches

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  The organization creates an English-language service focused on Ukrainian news for international audiences.

• 2013

  Former TVi journalists organize Hromadske

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  Following the TVi ownership dispute and mass resignations, journalists announce plans for a new web-based outlet.

• 2013

  Project officially announced

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  Hromadske is publicly announced by 15 journalists.

• 2013

  First broadcast

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  Hromadske begins broadcasting online on 22 November, as Euromaidan protests begin.

• 2012

  Independent public-media concept develops

  [1]Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org

  Roman Skrypin develops the idea for an independent online media project.

Independent, public-interest Ukrainian digital journalism with a strong emphasis on political accountability, live reporting, civil society, and coverage of major national crises.

• Digital news platform · 2013

  Hromadske.ua

  The organization’s principal digital news platform publishes Ukrainian-language reporting and video coverage on politics, society, war, human rights, and public affairs. It combines written articles with interviews, live reporting, analysis, investigations, and explanatory material. The platform’s public-interest orientation and reliance on online distribution distinguish it from a conventional commercial television channel.

• Online video journalism · 2013

  Hromadske live broadcasts

  Live broadcasting was central to Hromadske’s original identity. The service gained visibility by reporting directly from the Euromaidan protests and other major political and security events. Its live format supports rapid public access to speeches, demonstrations, interviews, breaking news, and on-location reporting.

• English-language digital media · 2014

  Hromadske International

  Hromadske International was created to present Ukrainian developments to English-speaking and other international audiences. It began as a Medium-based publication and later moved to a dedicated website. Its subject matter has included Ukrainian politics, the Euromaidan, the conflict with Russia, civil society, and human-rights issues.

• 2016

  Governance and domain dispute involving Roman Skrypin

  Hromadske’s supervisory board accused former chief executive Roman Skrypin of appropriating funds and organizational plans. It demanded the return and disclosure of funds and sought action concerning the hromadske.tv domain. Criminal proceedings were reported in April, while a later WIPO proceeding left the domain with Skrypin.

  Source

Read more

• 2014Hromadske International

  International

  The organization launched an English-language initiative to explain Ukrainian news and events to audiences outside Ukraine.

  Outcome. The initiative later developed from a Medium publication into a separate website.

  Source
• 2013Euromaidan live coverage

  Ukraine · International digital audiences

  Hromadske brought live online reporting to the Euromaidan protests, which began after the government suspended preparations for an EU association agreement. The coverage helped the new outlet build a larger audience and become identified with independent reporting during the protests.

  Outcome. The outlet’s audience and public profile increased substantially.

  Source

• 2016

  Pursue recovery of organizational funds and domain rightsOther

  Background

  The supervisory board alleged that former chief executive Roman Skrypin had retained funds and plans belonging to the NGO and sought clarification concerning the hromadske.tv domain.

  Action taken

  The board published demands for repayment, disclosure, and transfer of funds associated with the domain, while criminal proceedings were later opened.

  Aftermath

  A WIPO proceeding did not transfer the domain to Hromadske and left it with Skrypin.

  Source

• 2014

  Expand into international-language journalismStrategy

  Background

  The organization sought to make Ukrainian political and social developments accessible beyond the domestic Ukrainian-language audience.

  Action taken

  Hromadske launched Hromadske International and subsequently gave it a dedicated website.

  Aftermath

  The brand developed an international-facing editorial presence alongside its Ukrainian service.

  Source

• 2013

  Move the first broadcast forwardProduct launch

  Background

  Hromadske had originally planned to begin broadcasting later in September, but the Ukrainian government’s 21 November decision concerning the EU association agreement created an immediate national news crisis.

  Action taken

  The organization moved its inaugural broadcast to 22 November at 14:00.

  Aftermath

  The timing aligned the launch with the Euromaidan protests and contributed to rapid audience growth.

  Source

1. 1Hromadskeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hromadske official websitehromadske.ua