It's hard for journalists to stay objective and impartial in spaces built to reward strong opinions and clickbait content, but somebody's got to do it. Or maybe not
"What happens when journalism, activism and content creation collide on platforms that were not built for any of the above?" asked Valeriia Voshchevska, a Ukrainian journalist and storyteller, to the room at Newsrewired (14 May 2026).
Her career spans the full trifecta: in journalism as social media editor at Newsweek, in activism across various social and digital roles at Amnesty International, and most recently content creation, founding a human rights advocacy studio, Shape Change, amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: "I was forced into the world of content creation to fill in the gap that I felt existed when the war broke out."
Platforms are built for profit and maximum engagement, often encouraging the worst behaviours with clickbait and sensationalism. But her question cuts straight to the heart of why it's tricky to make news work on modern platforms, especially in times of crisis.
Ukraine sheds light on a new information reality: audiences are turning to individuals, not institutions, for information. The result? There's a demand for authentic on-the-ground storytelling that can counter harmful narratives, leaving the door open to creators who chase followers and engagement at the expense of accuracy or public interest.
