Role of Ukrainian journalists is now crucial - minister

The Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tkachenko, wrote this in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports.

"This year, Journalist's Day has a special taste of bitterness. The fourth month of the full-scale war - and we lost 32 journalists… Within eight years of war, we lost even more [journalists]. Eternal memory to our fighters of the information front. All journalists working 24/7 are heroes. We are waging a hybrid war -- the first such large-scale war in the history of the world -- and your role is invaluable today. Just as is your responsibility, your dedication, perseverance and courage," Tkachenko wrote.

According to him, journalists from various media groups, who are now working on the united front of the single news marathon, have shown their ability "to negotiate, cooperate and thus put above all the only main goal - our victory."

"Our information front is strong thanks to all of you. I am infinitely grateful to you, and our country is grateful to you too," the minister added.

On June 6, Ukraine marks Journalist's Day - the annual professional holiday of media professionals.

The holiday was established on May 25, 1994 according to a decree signed by Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk in support of the initiative of the delegates of the 1st All-Ukrainian Congress of Editors of Newspapers and Magazines.

It was decided to mark the holiday on June 6 because the Union of Journalists of Ukraine joined the International Federation of Journalists on June 6, 1992.