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Understand the risks Russians and journalists face when searching for truth about the invasion of Ukraine
Marina Ovsyannikova holds up an anti-war protest sign during a Russian TV newscast. (Screenshot/Channel One)
As Russian military forces continue to desolate communities across Ukraine, the Russian government is criminalizing independent news organizations and individuals who publicly share “fake” or contradictory information about the attacks. PolitiFact senior correspondent Jon Greenberg exchanged text messages with Alexey, ([link removed]) a Russian millennial living in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to understand how civilians are trying to find the truth about the invasion of Ukraine while avoiding jail time.
“There were some independent media before these new laws, but almost all of them were either closed or suspended by their owners or blocked by state service,” said Alexey. “[The] main source of information today in Russia is Telegram. But it’s still not forbidden to get this information. For now.”
While sources working to keep citizens like Alexey informed could face up to 15 years in prison, journalists reporting from war zones are risking their lives for the world to see what’s really happening in Ukraine. Check out a recent Poynter Report where senior media writer Tom Jones praises The Associated Press’ video journalist Mstyslav Chernov ([link removed]) for his extraordinary firsthand account of the Russian siege of Mariupol in Ukraine.
Quality journalism can be the difference between war and peace. Thank you for supporting independent reporting that helps citizens make informed decisions during this frightening moment in history.

Call in — not out — the people who cannot yet see the truth
Arnold Schwarzenegger appeals to the Russian people in a video on March 17, 2022. (Screenshot/Twitter)
Last week, former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered a heartfelt message ([link removed]) to the Russian people urging them to see beyond the propaganda surrounding their government’s senseless attacks on Ukraine.
PolitiFact editor-in-chief Angie Drobnic Holan calls the video a master class ([link removed]) in how to encourage people to reconsider their views from humanizing the situation and recognizing good intentions to using simple language and creating a comfortable space.
“We can all learn from it,” she said. “These are strategies anyone can take into conversations with friends and family when the facts are up for debate.”
Democracy thrives when citizens across the political spectrum have open and honest conversations with one another. Thank you for supporting Poynter’s fact-checking efforts and helping us improve the quality of our shared information ecosystem.

Discuss the history of fake news with experts in fact-checking and media ethics
Join the Poynter Institute for an evening at the Henry B. Plant Museum located at The University of Tampa on Friday, April 29, 2022. (Chris Kozlowski/Poynter)
You’re invited to join the Poynter Institute for our first in-person event of the year on April 29 ([link removed]) at the historic Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa, Florida. Guests will explore the evolution of sensationalism in news and its imprint on democracy from the War of 1898 to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The cocktail reception starts at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. Guests will tour a new art exhibit curated by Dr. Charles McGraw Groh called “Stop the Presses! Fake News and the War of 1898.”
After the reception, Poynter’s senior vice president Kelly McBride will moderate an enlightening discussion on journalism’s vital role in helping citizens more fully participate in the democratic process. McBride will be joined by a panel of experts from two of Poynter’s fact-checking enterprises including MediaWise’s program manager Alex Mahadevan and PolitiFact’s managing editor Katie Sanders.
Together, we’ll learn how false or misleading information can disrupt — or even dismantle — democratic society, especially during times of crisis.
GET TICKETS ([link removed])
Proceeds from this fundraising event support Poynter’s work to safeguard press freedom in democracies worldwide. Special thanks to our sponsors the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation and the Tampa Bay Trust Company for making this event possible.
Have curious conversations with people who don’t share your point of view
Poynter’s Kelly McBride will interview journalist Mónica Guzmán about her new book on April 12, 2022. (Tombolo Books)
Journalist Mónica Guzmán has been a friend to Poynter for nearly two decades as an alumna, guest faculty and former member of our National Advisory Board. Today, she’s the author of a timely book ([link removed]) about the importance of using our built-in curiosity to bridge divides. On April 12, Guzmán will share her experience at Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida. Poynter’s senior vice president Kelly McBride will moderate the conversation.
RSVP ([link removed])
In “I Never Thought Of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,” Guzmán takes readers to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt — broken conversations among confounded people. Whether you’re left, right, center, or not a fan of labels: If you’re ready to fight back against the confusion, heartbreak, and madness of our dangerously divided times —in your own life, at least — Guzmán has the tools and fresh, surprising insights to prove that seeing where people are coming from isn’t just possible. It’s easier than you think.
PURCHASE YOUR COPY ([link removed])
Thanks to individuals like you who value independent journalism, Poynter will continue to support journalists like Guzmán through every step of their careers. Thank you.
And, consider how algorithms might be influencing your news diet while you’re at it
(Screenshot/Facebook)
As you consider shifting your perspective to have more open and honest conversations, remember to diversify your go-to news sources and the content you engage with online. Here’s a good refresher on algorithms ([link removed]) — the reasons why you see those perfectly-targeted ads and articles in your news feeds — from MediaWise’s first ambassador, “NBC Nightly News'' anchor Lester Holt.
Thank you for sharing our passion for facts. Your support enables Poynter to continue creating opportunities for everyone — people of all ages and backgrounds — to do their part in elevating the truth.


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You might also like to:
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* Celebrate International Fact-Checking Day ([link removed]) on April 2, and help Poynter’s fact-checking enterprises educate people around the world about the importance of finding facts.
* Track debunked disinformation ([link removed]) surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine in real time with more than 100 verified signatories of Poynter’s International Fact-Checking Network.
* See how PolitiFact ([link removed]) editor-in-chief Angie Drobnic Holan briefed journalists from around the world on fact-checking the 2022 U.S. elections. (Are you subscribed to her weekly newsletter yet? ([link removed]) )
* Learn how MediaWise ([link removed]) is working with TikTok to help users evaluate and make decisions about the content they view online, especially during times of crisis.
* Take simple steps ([link removed]) to protect yourself from a potential cyberattack.


** Thank you for being the heart of the matter.
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for their dedication to create opportunities through philanthropy

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and
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