Anastasiia Romashko, Ukrainian-Canadian Media Production
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/01/10
Anastasiia Romashko, assistant producer and social media manager at Kontakt Ukrainian Television Network, discussed the challenges and dynamics of the Ukrainian-Canadian media landscape. She highlighted difficulties refugees face, including language barriers for older generations and educational adjustments for younger ones. Cultural integration remains complex, with Ukrainian-Canadian media largely isolated from mainstream outlets, except for limited collaboration with Omni TV. War-related stories dominate interests, often interwoven with personal hardships. Romashko noted differences in coverage, emphasizing Ukrainian media’s sharper, more direct approach compared to Canada’s broader, less detailed perspective. Despite challenges, cultural maintenance and storytelling are vital for the Ukrainian diaspora.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is your role in the Ukrainian-Canadian media landscape?
Anastasiia Romashko: I am an assistant producer and social media manager at Kontakt Ukrainian Television Network.
Jacobsen: What does being an assistant producer for media involve?
Romashko: Usually, I contact different people. If we are looking for individuals for our materials, they could be Ukrainian personalities or Canadians connected to Ukraine or doing something for Ukraine. It varies. We usually arrange interviews with them or organize some reports that we can film for our content network.
Romashko: What are the most difficult stories to report on? And what are the easiest?
Jacobsen: The easiest stories are definitely about hobbies. It is easier if they are not doing something directly related to Ukraine or are in Ukraine—such as people who play the violin, ballet dancers, or perform similar activities.
However, every story carries some level of pain or disappointment from the individual’s perspective, as most fled the Ukraine war. Even if we conduct mostly lighthearted interviews or report on something enjoyable, they often share a story about the war or how they fled Ukraine.
Most of them were very successful in Ukraine before they moved to Canada. Now, they have lost everything and are no longer doing what they were doing in Ukraine or Europe. That is hard to hear. Some of them begin to cry, and we often don’t know how to respond because we cannot fully understand their feelings.
Jacobsen: When someone starts crying during an interview, do you interrupt their emotion or give them space to express it for tone?
Romashko: Based on our experience with such emotional situations, we usually… I’m not the interviewer. I don’t conduct the interviews myself. I assist with the production or post-production.
Typically, we give them the space to express their emotions because it would feel odd to say something like, “It’s fine, don’t worry, don’t cry.” That’s understandable, so we allow them to express themselves and their feelings.
From an interview perspective, it’s important because it helps the interviewer connect with the person on an emotional level. Of course, there is a reason for their feelings, so you can’t stop them. You have to let them process and express themselves.
Jacobsen: Regarding the Ukrainian diaspora, with the large numbers of Canadians who have Ukrainian heritage, what is the number?
Romashko: It’s almost like 200,000, close to 300,000.
Jacobsen: So, a huge number of Canadians are Ukrainian. What topics interest them? In other words, what subject matter is pertinent to their concerns as Canadians and those with Ukrainian heritage?
Romashko: The main issue that interests people is the war, which is still ongoing. Secondly, there’s the topic of people recently arriving from Ukraine to Canada.
They face challenges not necessarily with communication but integrating into a society completely different from what they were used to in Ukraine. This includes differences in behaviour, societal norms, and general adjustment.
Jacobsen: What about things like English as a second language? Is that a barrier to integration for refugees or asylum seekers?
Romashko: It’s mostly a barrier for older people. They usually had less exposure to English than younger generations. For those aged 20 to 40, we had more English instruction in schools or opportunities to travel to Europe. Still, for older people, those aged 50 or above, or for someone’s grandparents, it takes much work to learn a new language.
That’s a big problem, and many older people feel uncomfortable here because they cannot connect or communicate with others as they could before. For example, a colleague shared a story about her parents, who moved back to Poland. They had tried living with her but found communicating too difficult. They felt so alone and isolated because she was the only person they could talk to. They didn’t have friends or relatives to interact with, which made them feel lost. Ultimately, they decided to go back.
It’s much easier for younger people. Even if they don’t know English initially, it’s easier for them to learn because English speakers surround them. There’s no way they won’t pick it up eventually.
Jacobsen: What are the challenges for young people? What are the challenges for older people when they first arrive in Canada in an ongoing war outside of language?
Romashko: The main challenge for younger people is education. For instance, if they are still in school or university, they must adjust their studies when they arrive. They need to find their place in a new academic environment, which can be overwhelming.
Another challenge is making friends. When you move from your home country, you leave behind your friends, school, and teachers, which makes life comfortable and familiar. Here, they have to start over, building relationships in a place where they initially know no one except their parents. That is challenging.
The main challenge for older people is finding work. It can be difficult due to language barriers, differences in work experience, or even a lack of career opportunities, making integration much harder for them.
That’s the main one.
Jacobsen: How integrated is the Ukrainian media landscape, specifically the Ukrainian-Canadian media landscape, into the mainstream Canadian media? How is the integration there? Is there an exchange of information, stories, and expertise? Or are you more isolated as Ukrainian-Canadians?
Romashko: We’re generally more separated from Canadian television and media centers. The only connection we’ve established is with Omni TV, which is part of the Rogers Media Group. Omni TV is technically an international channel where various nationalities can broadcast their reports or other content.
That’s the only platform where we have some presence. Occasionally, there are conferences like this one, where we meet people from other Canadian media organizations. However, there needs to be a stronger connection with mainstream Canadian media overall.
Jacobsen: Do you have any final thoughts about this war, the media, or cultural maintenance?
Romashko: The media, the war, as well as the media in Canada specifically, are quite different here. Even though I’ve learned a lot about the war in Ukraine and attended various conferences about it, Canadian media approaches it differently than Ukrainian media.
Ukrainian media tends to be sharper and more direct in covering what’s happening in Ukraine. Here in Canada, the coverage is more of an overview, focusing on cultural and political events rather than directly highlighting the war actions.
That’s an issue.
Romashko: Thank you very much for your time.
Jacobsen: Thank you.
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