In this wide-ranging conversation, Chris Sampson is joined by veteran journalist Tim White for an in-depth discussion on the role of journalism in Ukraine’s survival and the global information war surrounding Russia’s invasion.
Broadcast from Kyiv, Sampson opens with a reflection on what it means to report from a country at war and why firsthand reporting matters. Having lived in Ukraine continuously since before the full-scale invasion, he emphasizes the importance of journalists who are deeply rooted in the country rather than the “passerby journalism” often produced by international outlets that cycle correspondents through conflict zones. The war, he argues, cannot be understood from hotel rooms and brief visits—it requires immersion in Ukrainian society, politics, and history.
Tim White brings a longer historical perspective. Having worked in Ukraine since the early 2010s and contributed to the pioneering disinformation-monitoring project StopFake, he explains how Russian propaganda evolved alongside the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine beginning in 2013–2014. StopFake was created by Ukrainian journalists and academics to debunk Russian disinformation narratives during the annexation of Crimea and the appearance of the so-called “little green men.” According to White, it was one of the first organized efforts to systematically dismantle Kremlin propaganda in real time.
The conversation then shifts to a broader question: what does responsible journalism look like during wartime?
White argues that the traditional idea of strict neutrality can become misleading when one side is clearly committing crimes and spreading disinformation. For him, journalism is not about artificially balancing narratives but about representing the truth as accurately as possible. That means acknowledging both Ukraine’s successes and its challenges on the battlefield, while also exposing Russian war crimes and propaganda campaigns.
Sampson expands on this idea by describing how independent journalists can offer perspectives that differ from both state messaging and partisan narratives. He notes that Ukrainian outlets such as Ukrainska Pravda often play an adversarial role toward the government—something that can confuse international audiences who assume wartime media should be uniformly supportive of leadership. In reality, Ukraine’s media landscape has evolved into a vibrant and often contentious environment where investigative reporting and criticism remain essential parts of democratic life.
White places this development in historical context. Ukraine, he explains, emerged from decades of Soviet rule with virtually no tradition of independent journalism. Under communism, media existed primarily to repeat official state messaging. Since independence in 1991, Ukraine’s press has undergone a dramatic transformation—from oligarch-controlled outlets and political influence to a more pluralistic environment that increasingly embraces investigative reporting and accountability.
The two journalists also examine how oligarch ownership shaped Ukraine’s media ecosystem in the early decades after independence. Television networks and newspapers were frequently aligned with powerful political and business figures, creating an environment where editorial lines often reflected the interests of wealthy patrons. Despite those structural challenges, independent voices gradually emerged and helped expose corruption and challenge political power.
Another major theme of the conversation is the global decline of traditional media institutions. Both Sampson and White note the layoffs and restructuring across major Western outlets, including the erosion of newsroom staff and the consolidation of local journalism. Sampson recounts his early experience covering media ownership battles in the United States during the mid-2000s, where critics warned that corporate consolidation would hollow out local news coverage. Two decades later, those predictions appear to have largely come true.
In this environment, platforms like Substack have created a new model for journalists—one where writers can build direct relationships with audiences rather than relying on traditional media institutions. The ability to publish independently allows journalists to maintain editorial control while also creating a community around their reporting.
The discussion also explores the geopolitical implications of Russia’s invasion. White argues that Ukraine’s resistance has demonstrated that even a smaller nation can hold off a much larger aggressor if it receives sufficient support. That lesson has reverberated globally, influencing how other countries view their own security and the potential threat posed by authoritarian powers.
At the same time, both journalists warn that global attention is beginning to shift away from Ukraine as new crises emerge. White notes that humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine has already begun to decline in some areas, including donations to frontline medical units and aid organizations. Maintaining international awareness, he says, is one of the most important tasks facing journalists who cover the war.
The conversation also touches on the corrosive influence of corruption and disinformation as tools of geopolitical control. Sampson describes how Russia’s system of kleptocracy has spread beyond its borders, seeking to pull other states into networks of corruption and influence. White adds that corruption has historically been used by occupying powers as a way to maintain long-term control—creating systems so deeply compromised that reform becomes extremely difficult.
Throughout the discussion, both journalists return to a central idea: information itself has become a battlefield.
The war in Ukraine is not only fought with artillery and drones, but also through narratives, propaganda campaigns, and the struggle to maintain credible sources of information. Independent journalism plays a crucial role in that fight by documenting events, challenging misinformation, and preserving a factual record of the war.
For Sampson and White, the stakes could not be higher. If truthful reporting disappears, the space will inevitably be filled by propaganda and manipulation. In an era where authoritarian regimes actively weaponize information, maintaining trustworthy journalism is not simply a professional obligation—it is a pillar of democratic survival.
This conversation is a reflection on that responsibility and on the journalists who continue to carry it forward in the midst of war.
Thank you GW B, Lynn Thigpen 🇺🇦, Kris O, Courtneye, Dann, and many others for tuning into my live video with Tim White! Join me for my next live video in the app.
