When Media Become a Space of Support: Lessons from Ukraine for Europe

During the war in Ukraine, digital media have ceased to be merely channels of information — they have become tools for survival, solidarity, and even mediation. This experience particularly strengthens the ideas embedded in the Mediation in Media research of the INCLUDE ME+ project.

In crisis conditions, online space can easily turn into an environment of panic, disinformation, and conflict. However, the Ukrainian example shows something different: when media are used responsibly, they are capable of uniting people, supporting dialogue, and reducing tension even in the most difficult circumstances.

One of the strongest examples is local Telegram channels and communities, which from the first days of the full-scale invasion became sources of verified information. In many cities, the administrators of these channels effectively acted as mediators: they not only published news but also filtered content, reduced the level of panic, debunked fakes, and reminded people of the importance of mutual respect in the comments. In situations where emotions were running high, this was critically important.

Another notable example is fact-checking initiatives such as StopFake and VoxCheck. They not only exposed disinformation but also explained how manipulation works, teaching the audience critical thinking. This is no longer just a fight against fakes — it is a form of digital mediation, helping people better understand one another and avoid conflicts arising from false information.

The practice of creating inclusive content during the war is also noteworthy. For instance, many Ukrainian media outlets began actively adding subtitles to videos, using simple language, or explaining complex events for different audiences, including internally displaced persons and people with diverse experiences. This aligns with one of the key principles of the research — accessibility as the foundation of responsible communication.

Social networks have played no less important role in supporting people’s psychological well-being. Campaigns such as #StandWithUkraine and pages dedicated to psychological support created a space for empathy, where people could share their experiences and receive support. Here, the media performed the function of a mediator between the experience of trauma and the opportunity to articulate it.

The Ukrainian experience also demonstrates how digital platforms can amplify the voices of those who previously remained on the periphery. Stories of volunteers, civilians, and representatives of different regions and communities became visible to a wide audience. This creates a more polyphonic and fairer media space — precisely the kind that the INCLUDE ME+ project aims to achieve.

At the same time, this experience highlights the challenges. In wartime conditions, the line between emotional reaction and responsible communication is very thin. That is why the approaches described in Mediation in Media, such as the development of empathy, dialogue skills, and ethical content creation, become not just desirable, but essential.

Today, Ukraine serves as an example of how, even in the most difficult conditions, digital media can be not only a battlefield but also a space for understanding, support, and unity. This experience can become a valuable guideline for the whole of Europe.

The INCLUDE ME+ project presents its first key deliverable — the Mediation in Media research, which opens new approaches to using digital platforms as tools for inclusion, participation, and peacebuilding in Europe.

This research is the result of extensive collaborative work by an international consortium that sought to understand how to integrate practices of informal mediation into the digital environment. It is not just about theory, but about real tools and approaches that can change the way we communicate online — making it more empathetic, safe, and open to diversity.

A distinctive feature of the research is the combination of two approaches: analytical (desk research) and practical (Participatory Action Research — PAR). On one hand, the team analyzed the European digital media landscape, identifying key trends, challenges, and barriers faced by vulnerable groups in online spaces. On the other hand, it actively involved the users themselves in the research process: students, teachers, content creators, and representatives of civil society.

Through dialogue, workshops, and collective reflection, participants were able not only to share their own experiences but also to jointly develop practical solutions. Among them are approaches to ethical communication, the creation of inclusive content, and the amplification of voices that often remain unheard in the digital space.

The research also emphasizes the importance of principles such as accessibility, intersectionality, and respect in online interactions. It shows that digital media can be not only a source of conflict or disinformation but also a powerful tool for building mutual understanding between different cultures and communities.

Importantly, the results of this research have not remained only on paper. They have become the foundation for the INCLUDE ME+ training program, which aims to develop empathy, responsible digital citizenship, and intercultural dialogue across Europe.

Mediation in Media is not just a research paper — it is an invitation to rethink the role of digital media in our lives. It is a reminder that behind every message, post, or comment there is a person — and it is up to us whether the digital space becomes a place of conflict or a platform for mutual understanding.

The research is already available for download on the official website of the INCLUDE ME+ project. There you can also follow further updates and new resources that help build a more inclusive and responsible digital future.

The research is available at the following link: https://includememedia.eu/resources/mediation-in-media-participatory-action-research/

You can follow the news about the project and explore all materials on our official website: www.includememedia.eu