September 7, 2026
Global AffairsSupporting independent journalism in Ukraine
Working with WAN-IFRA and AIRPPU to protect and rebuild independent journalism through conflict in Ukraine
The following was issued as a joint press release on Monday 7th September 2026 from WAN-IFRA, AIRPPU and OpenAI.
AIRPPU partners with OpenAI and WAN-IFRA to strengthen Ukrainian media with new AI programme
The Newsroom AI Masterclass Series and Newsroom AI Catalyst support Ukraineโs independent news sector with a focus on AI adoption, innovation and resilience.
OpenAI, WAN-IFRA and the Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU) have announced a new initiative to support and strengthen Ukrainian news publishers by building practical artificial intelligence capabilities and accelerating innovation across their organisations. During a time of continued conflict and unrest, the new initiativeโdeveloped by AIRPPU in partnership with WAN-IFRA and OpenAIโaims to help news organisations harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence to strengthen the sustainability, efficiency and resilience of independent journalism.
The programme combines two complementary components:
- Newsroom AI, supporting news organisations selected by AIRPPU in developing and implementing AI-driven newsroom projects, and;
- Business Transformation, supporting AI-driven commercial and operational transformation projects.
The Newsroom AI Masterclass Series will build on prior successful initiatives of WAN-IFRA and OpenAI and bring together international experts and practitioners to share practical knowledge, case studies and implementation strategies. The topics span a broad range of critical news organisation priorities, including editorial workflows, audience engagement, product development, revenue generation, organisational change and responsible AI adoption.
Building on this foundation, the Newsroom AI Catalyst will provide deeper, hands-on support to ten participating Ukrainian news organisations as they identify high-impact use cases, develop implementation roadmaps and pilot AI-enabled solutions tailored to their specific needs.
All organisations participating in the programme will also receive credits to OpenAIโs API to facilitate the development of bespoke newsroom solutions.
โOngoing war, economic pressures and disruption to daily lives have created unprecedented challenges for independent media in Ukraine. We believe that AI can greatly assist and provide significant opportunities to strengthen editorial workflows, improve efficiency and better serve audiences. This programme will provide Ukrainian publishers with access to international expertise, practical tools and hands-on support that will help them turn those opportunities into tangible results. And most importantlyโit should give journalists back time to do journalism.โ
โSupporting Ukrainian media has been a core commitment for WAN-IFRA since the full-scale invasion in 2022. In wartime, independent journalism does more than report events: it safeguards the public record and ensures that Ukraineโs story is told by Ukrainians. Since my first visit to Ukraine in July 2022, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary resilience of the countryโs newsrooms and I am truly grateful that our collaboration with OpenAIโwhich since 2024 has enabled publishers worldwide to test, question and shape how AI is used in newsโcan now contribute to that shared commitment in Ukraine, together with AIRPPU.โ
โIndependent journalism plays a vital role in helping communities stay informed, especially during times of war, crisis and uncertainty. We are very pleased to support this AI initiative with Ukrainian news publishers and WAN-IFRA. By sharing practical knowledge, building on prior successes, and helping news organisations leverage the technology, we hope to contribute to a stronger and more sustainable future for independent journalism in Ukraine. Weโll continue partnering with newsrooms and journalists around the world to support their critically important work and enable them to deliver high-quality journalism to even more people.โ
- Oksana Brovko
- Stig รrskov
- Tom Rubin
The programme builds on WAN-IFRAโs extensive global work supporting AI adoption in news organisationsโincluding leadership programmes, industry research, peer-learning communities and practical implementation initiativesโand OpenAIโs continued partnership with news organisations around the world to help support their vital missions.
The Newsroom AI Masterclass Series began on August 5, 2026, with the Newsroom AI Catalyst set to launch on September 17, 2026. Further details regarding participation and full programme dates can be found hereโ (opens in a new window).
About WAN-IFRA
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, unites media globally to strengthen the business of trusted journalism and defend press freedom.
About AIRPPU
The Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU) is the largest network of independent regional and local news publishers in Ukraine. The association supports media sustainability, professional journalism and press freedom through capacity-building programmes, emergency support, innovation initiatives and international partnerships, working with independent news organisations across the country.
