The UK government is to give the BBC an additional £4.1 million in funding to support Ukrainian and Russian language services in the region.
It’s an acknowledgement of the importance of the BBC World Service channels, including TV, radio and digital, and the role they play in countering information about the war in Ukraine. The challenge is to get that voice heard in Russia under the restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities.
In addition, reporting from a conflict zone is an expensive business.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “In scenes reminiscent of 80 years ago, the BBC will ensure that audiences in the region can continue to access independent news reporting in the face of systemic propaganda from a dictator waging war on European soil. It’s vital we lift the veil on and expose the barbaric actions of Putin’s forces.”
Following the BBC request, the funding will be put towards the additional costs from operating within a military conflict. It will also tackle disinformation and to help local audiences circumvent the Kremlin’s media restrictions and continue to access the BBC’s journalism.
The World Service receives funding from the BBC’s licence fee income, in addition to grant funding directly from the FCDO.
