Platform: A Media Outlet with a Mission and Meaning

Sometimes, just a few words, sentences, or thoughts can take us on a long journey – through thousands of characters – to truly understand a person, to glimpse behind the scenes of their story, and to feel how they are changing the world, even if that world belongs to just one person.
Because that’s the essence of it all: to make an impact, to feel a sense of mission, to help others.

Maiak spoke with Dmytro Zania, journalist and founder of Platform – a Ukrainian media outlet created in Britain by a Ukrainian, for Ukrainians.

Everything Begins with People

Tell us about yourself. Who are you, and what values shape your world?

My life’s journey is a bit like an action film – constantly having to overcome obstacles, with no achievement ever coming easily. There’s also a touch of drama in there, so those two genres intertwine throughout my story.

When I was 17, I interned at a Ukrainian community television station. Later, I worked as a director, and eventually found my true calling in journalism. It has been my life for many years now, though I now reside in the United Kingdom.

Despite the distance, the challenges of life abroad, and the process of adapting, journalism keeps me energised.
I love sharing information, influencing events and people, and leaving a mark – even if it touches just one person. That’s what gives me a sense of purpose.

After a day’s work, there’s an inner relief – the feeling that I’ve done something that matters.

I’m always keen on human stories. When people create something new and valuable for society, it’s deeply inspiring.
I’m also moved by how people unite around shared ideas, values and dreams. I’m convinced that’s what keeps the world turning.

Competition is important, of course, but not as a battle – more as a chance to have a worthy rival who helps you become better.

These are the fundamental principles my wife and I apply in our work. Together, we’re developing a coffee brand and café network, while also supporting Ukrainians through information, via the Platform.

Classic Journalism That Inspires

Was there a publication that inspired or influenced you?

I’ve always admired classical journalism – titles like The Washington Post and The New York Times.  When I founded Platform, I focused on traditional journalistic values. I never wanted to copy anyone, but I believed in learning from the best.

We always ask ourselves a few key questions:

• Why should a reader spend time on us?

• In what context will they find it interesting?

• Are we using their time wisely?

• Will this piece make them think, touch their heart, or inspire them to share it with family and friends?

For us, it’s crucial that every story lives on as long as possible and has a positive impact. That’s the foundation of our editorial philosophy.

The Team: The Heart of the Project

How do you see Platform in the future? Who would you like to join your team?

The team is the most valuable thing any project has – the driving force behind everything. Ours has been remarkably stable: the line-up hasn’t changed in the past two years.

Oksana, a journalist, manages our social media and writes individual features. Marina has been with us since the very beginning. Recently, another Marina joined us from Scotland. These are the people constantly creating content – the heartbeat of Platform.

That stability allows us to stay focused and move forward confidently. We’re consistent – and that’s what matters most.

Looking ahead, we want to involve more independent freelancers from different fields. That will help us cover a broader range of topics and connect even more closely with our readers.
One area we’re especially keen to develop is healthcare journalism – but written in clear, accessible language without jargon or professional terms.

Another key goal is to preserve our core values: to serve and work for people. That’s fundamental to us.

We always tell our writers: “Your readers are people just like you. Write clearly, write with integrity, write with empathy.”  That’s how readers know we’re not just a Ukrainian outlet abroad – we genuinely care about them.

What unites us most is our core idea: for Ukrainians and about Ukrainians. That’s encoded in our very structure, and we’ll always stay true to it.

Stories Yet to Be Told

Who or what would you like to write about but haven’t yet had the chance?

I’d love to interview Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi [former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine].
Several Ukrainian actresses are also developing their careers abroad while remaining loyal to Ukraine and actively participating in charitable projects.
Another fascinating story is that of Oksana Markarova, the former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, who did tremendous work for her country.

I want to tell success stories of Ukrainians building businesses overseas. These can truly motivate others to keep moving forward; and I’d like to continue writing about those who’ve faced difficult life circumstances yet stayed true to their principles – even if it meant giving up career opportunities or money for the sake of their values.

Such stories can be a powerful source of strength for readers.

A Sense of Mission: For and About Ukrainians

Why “Platform”?

At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, there was a degree of chaos within the Ukrainian community in Britain. People were arriving to escape the war, often unsure where to turn for help. Reliable information was scarce.

Yes, Ukrainian community centres were quick to mobilise, but they couldn’t reach everyone. So we thought:
If we possess the skills to produce quality journalism, and people want to read about Ukraine and Ukrainians in their midst, why not create our own media?

I reached out to colleagues in Ukraine — many had lost their jobs because of the war. We joined forces.
That’s how a team formed across Ukraine, the United States and Scotland, united by one mission: to help Ukrainians.

The Platform is about bringing people together. We’ve built a platform – literally and figuratively – that unites people through information.  Our goal is to give Ukrainians answers from those who share their experiences and truly understand what they’re going through.

Who We Work For

Our focus is squarely on the Ukrainian audience in the UK, Canada and Ukraine. We want Platform to be a place where people find stories that genuinely matter to them.

The project’s identity is built around Kyiv – the heart of Ukraine.  That way, anyone who visits our site instantly recognises it as Ukrainian.

We do have some international readers in English, but we don’t target them – our mission is for Ukrainians first and foremost.

Initially, we primarily wrote about challenges and solutions. Now, as Ukrainians abroad have adapted — learning the language, finding jobs — their focus has shifted towards growth, leisure, business and new projects.
We’re evolving with them to meet those needs.

Based on this experience, I’ve come to believe our concept should evolve every two or three years — to keep laying foundations for those who will make these countries their home in the future.

Tell us more about your regular sections, “Special Topics” and “Media Library”.

We don’t see them as unique, but they’re memorable.  “Special Topics” features in-depth coverage of current issues shaping today and tomorrow – war, Ukraine, migration. We don’t just report facts — we explain their meaning, consequences, and what actions might follow.  That helps readers understand the broader context.

“Media Library” is all about visual storytelling – we publish photo essays and reportage from across the UK. Sometimes an image says more than words ever could. It’s our way of documenting key moments and showing Ukrainian life abroad through photography.

Stories That Leave a Mark

Has there been a story that was especially difficult, meaningful or unique for you?

Honestly, every story is difficult in its own way, because each one carries a person’s fate – and nowadays, no one’s life is simple.

Everyone has their triggers and histories. As journalists, we must remain open and sensitive. Sometimes we have to talk about things that hurt – but that’s necessary, because only then is the story truthful.

Some stories are especially dear to us – like when Ukrainians abroad manage to continue working in the professions they had back home.  When people don’t just survive but thrive, doing what they love – those are powerful examples of resilience.

That’s the essence of what we do: influence through truthful information.

Independence and Funding

Who funds Platform?

At present, we fund it ourselves. We haven’t sought external sponsorship or donors.  We believe in our own strength at this stage.

We also don’t accept money for advertising, because we view the platform as part of our charitable mission to support Ukraine.  Of course, our resources are limited, but we’re exploring ways to balance helping others with achieving financial stability – always in a way that serves people.

Working Across Languages and Cultures

Is it difficult to work for a bilingual and multicultural audience?

Let’s be honest – artificial intelligence helps us here. We write all content in Ukrainian first, then translate it into other languages, so everyone can read in the language they prefer.

It’s both a challenge and an opportunity for growth – we’re constantly experimenting with new approaches, formats and ideas.

We remain Ukrainians, no matter where we live. That’s fundamental.  We’re comfortable working with the Ukrainian diaspora, but collaborating with British colleagues has also been invaluable.

What defines Ukrainians, I think, is that difficulties don’t deter us – they strengthen us. We adapt, grow and become more resilient. That’s truly our national trait.

Fighting Disinformation

How do you counter Russian propaganda?

When the enemy pours colossal budgets into its narratives, we respond with information – with truth.  It’s a tough weapon, but an effective one.

In Britain, I can clearly see how the information landscape operates. The opponent spends vast sums on disinformation, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram, where fake stories can spread in seconds.

With the resources we have, we focus on presenting the truth: our truth, based on facts every Ukrainian should knows.
Sometimes it’s as simple as having a conversation on the street, helping someone understand what’s really going on.  That’s how resilience is built – and how people learn to discern truth.

Achievements and Challenges

What are you most proud of with Platform?

First and foremost, our team – people united by one idea and belief in what they do.
Secondly, our readers – a loyal community that trusts us, shares their stories and ideas. That’s a huge achievement.
And thirdly, we’ve become one of the few Ukrainian media outlets abroad working for Ukrainians.

We tell what’s happening in Ukraine, while also giving a voice to the diaspora here.  That lets us influence, support initiatives, and help people maintain a connection with their homeland.  Together, that’s what drives our team to keep going.

The Hardest Part

What has been the most challenging aspect of running Platform?

Definitely the operational side – keeping things running, maintaining motivation, finding the right words for our team and interviewees.  It’s also challenging to decide the direction for growth when everything around us is changing so quickly.

But it’s also a great test — it forces us to grow.  We want to stay true to our path and continue moving forward, even amid financial difficulties. Many outlets face similar problems: a weak advertising market and little institutional support. But we keep holding on.

Looking Back

If you could start over, what would you do differently?

Probably nothing major – though perhaps I’d focus more on concept and meaning from the start.
For me, it’s important that a project brings joy from day one – that’s how it can evolve and improve.

I remember the launch vividly. Initially, Platform was an online newspaper where you could “flip” digital pages – it looked impressive, unlike anything else on the market at the time; but we soon realised the format didn’t work – we had to adapt.  That was the turning point: we defined our values, our team, and our future direction.

What Makes Platform Unique

How does your outlet differ from others?

Firstly, we fund ourselves – we’re independent from donors or investors.
Secondly, we write from lived experience. We know what it’s like to be Ukrainian abroad – the difficulties of emigration, the realities of adaptation.

Our pieces aren’t detached observations; they’re genuine stories showing both the good and the hard sides of life.  We work for Ukrainians in migration, but welcome anyone interested in Ukraine.

Our core principle is honesty and loyalty to our values.  We don’t just want to inform – we want to support and inspire.

Platform carries many layers of meaning, but at its heart, it’s simple. We aim to be not just interesting, but useful – a place people come to for information, solutions, and hope for the future.

Because the future isn’t only about victory – it’s about rebuilding, and we want to stay alongside Ukrainians throughout that process – helping them with information, adaptation, and self-confidence.

Author: Svitlana Pylypchuk
Photographs: Dmytro Zania
Ukrainian-language editor: Anastasiia Zanuzdanova
English-language editor: Helen Lewis