VOA Journalist Named One of Most Influential Women in Ukraine
Myroslava Gongadze, the host of VOA’s popular Ukrainian language television news program, “Chas-Time,” has been named one of the 100 most influential women in Ukraine.
Ms. Gongadze is 52nd on this year’s Focus magazine list, which includes women from politics, business, the media and other fields. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko topped the popular Ukrainian weekly news magazine’s annual list. Last year, Ms. Gongadze was 91st.
VOA Director Danforth W. Austin said, “We are extremely pleased to see Ms. Gongadze recognized for her work and dedication to quality journalism and for the impact her efforts have in Ukraine.”
The 38 year old Gongadze says she is “honored to be named to the list and happy to be able to provide Voice of America’s viewers unbiased and comprehensive news coverage.” At the same time she said, “I feel a great responsibility to keep their trust especially in these times when the freedom of the press in Ukraine is under attack.”
Ms. Gongadze received political asylum in the United States in 2001 following the murder of her husband, journalist Georgiy Gongadze. Ms. Gongadze continues to seek justice in her husband’s case and is a leading advocate for press freedom.
During a recent panel discussion at the National Endowment for Democracy, Ms. Gongadze expressed alarm at what she described as an “increase in harassment of independent media and individual journalists in Ukraine.”