The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed a law on compulsory insurance for journalists working in the war zone. With these additional guarantees, the parliament will be able to protect those who risk their lives to reveal the truth to the world. Learn more about the main provisions of the compulsory insurance for journalists

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On July 8, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill to provide additional security guarantees for foreign journalists working in Ukraine in the areas of hostilities or in the temporarily occupied territories. The law stipulates that media outlets must provide their employees with means of protection against firearms and shrapnel injuries, as well as medical care.

Journalists must have insurance at the expense of their employer to cover the events of the war and the situation in the de-occupied regions.

In the previous article, we talked about the annual World Press Freedom Index study by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to the latest analysis for 2024, Ukraine has moved up 18 positions to 61st place.

Main provisions of the law on compulsory insurance for journalists

The draft law provides for compulsory life and health insurance for foreign journalists and other media workers (e.g., cameramen, drivers, etc.) for the period of their work in the areas of military (combat) operations and/or in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. This addition was made to Article 7 of the Law “On Insurance”.

Media workers who work in conditions hazardous to life and health must be provided by their employers with appropriate protective equipment, namely bulletproof vests, helmets that would protect them from firearms and shrapnel injuries, as well as medical kits. Provisions on this aspect were added to Article 15 of the Law “On State Support of Mass Media and Social Protection of Journalists.”

It should be noted that prior to the adoption of this draft law, the media provided their employees with only relevant documents and signal identification devices. 

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How much compensation can I expect?

The law states that journalists and other media workers are subject to compulsory insurance at the expense of their employer “or in any other legal way” for the period of their business trip to the combat zone or occupied territories of Ukraine. Therefore, you can purchase an insurance policy from any company or even apply to charitable foundations.

Remember! When planning a trip to Ukraine, first of all, you need to take care of the appropriate insurance policy, because any foreign insurance automatically terminates after crossing the Ukrainian border. In this case, we recommend that you take out insurance specifically covering military risks, which will cover not only standard medical care/treatment/diagnosis, etc. but also accidents and injuries caused by passive or direct military risks.

You can take out such insurance on the Visit Ukraine website. Follow the link and choose an insurance policy with the appropriate coverage and indemnity amount for the required period.

In the event of injury (contusion, trauma or mutilation) caused to a journalist while performing his or her professional duties, he or she is paid a one-time financial assistance from the state budget. In case of injury, the amount is 50 subsistence minimums. Starting from January 1, 2024, the total subsistence level will be UAH 2920, so the amount of assistance will be at least UAH 146 thousand.

We remind you! As of the beginning of 2024, more than 210 thousand cars were damaged or destroyed in Ukraine as a result of the war waged by Russia. In this regard, the country wants to introduce compensation for car owners whose cars have been damaged as a result of the war. Read more about how the mechanism will work.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit Ukraine

With our health insurance package, you get access to high-quality medical care anytime, anywhere. Our policy covers a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events now. Choose a policy on our website and receive an insurance document to your email in just a few minutes.