Staff writer Marie Shamota asked three media experts two questions about the Kyiv Post: 1. What do you think of the Kyiv Post’s decision to start a Ukrainian-Russian language version of its website? 2. What is the Kyiv Post’s reputation in Ukraine?
Alexey Chuksin, marketing director of portal META.UA
1. “I think it is positive. There is a risk that a small part of the paper’s readers will go to the Internet. On the other hand, the site’s creation and use of Russian and Ukrainian could significantly expand the publication’s audience. And income from e-ads will compensate for shortfalls from print ad sales.”
2. “The Kyiv Post has a reputation as a successful publication for foreigners. The audience is expanding and increased Internet access will be positive.”
Nataliya Ligachova, chief editor of Telekritika media watchdog
1. “I think that it’s a very positive thing because the space for independent information is shrinking at the moment. The Kyiv Post is one of the highest quality sources, and it is very important that it will be accessible for those who don’t know English.”
2. “Good. Above all because English-speaking people use the Kyiv Post as a source of information. As far I know, they trust the Kyiv Post.”
Maxim Lazebnik, executive director of the All-Ukrainian Ad Coalition
1. “I don’t see anything wrong in the extension of an audience, especially since the number of Russian-language Internet users is higher than expat [users]. If this site has good content, they will visit it.”
2. “In Ukraine, I miss smart people who can analyze situations and show it in context. I can find this information from Russian sites. But I don’t know good sources in Ukraine.”
