35 Years of Independent Ukrainian Media. Part II – Journalist and News Show Host Oksana Sokolova on Ukrainian Television

Oksana Sokolova, a prominent Ukrainian journalist and host of the successful weekly television program "Facts of the Week" on ICTV, reflects on the early days of Ukrainian television. In the early 1990s, two television channels controlled by the Communist Party were the only options available. Following independence, these channels transformed into Ukrainian television channels, UT-1 and UT-2.

However, genuine independence and modern standards were still elusive, as most journalists and editors had been trained in the Soviet system.

Sokolova, who was 20 years old when she entered the profession, recalls that television in the 1990s was characterized by a lack of rules, zero understanding, and zero restrictions. Journalists, like other members of the new Ukrainian society, were navigating a market economy, the emergence of business people, politicians, and criminals. This environment was chaotic and spontaneous, with journalists facing danger while investigating schemes involving fraudsters with criminal backgrounds.

One example Sokolova provides is a tough guy from Cherkasy who ran for president in 1994, claiming he had an agreement with Libya to employ one million Ukrainians. The Libyan consulate even supported his campaign, leading Sokolova to investigate and air her findings on Ukrainian television. Despite the uncertainty and lack of legislation, Ukrainian media rapidly evolved during the 1990s, showcasing the country's transformation alongside its institutions, businesses, and political landscape.