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JICA continues fruitful cooperation with Ukrainian public service broadcaster, PBC. Within the framework of the follow-up project, PBC has received LiveU equipment for TV production, which can ensure better quality transmission signal.

The procedure of equipment handover took place in Kyiv, where PBC hosted a delegation consisting of representatives of JICA headquarters, JICA Ukraine and H.E. Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori. Ambassador Matsuda underlined the importance of balanced and fair media coverage during the war time and praised the work of PBC reporters and managers.

PBC Chairman Mykola Chernotytsky said that that the technologically advanced LiveU equipment will significantly increase capacities of PBC crews and will help them to do their important mission. "This equipment is now being used for reporting from the regions, especially those close to the frontline and to the border with Russia. It will significantly enable us to produce news from everywhere", Chernotytsky was quoted as saying by PBC website.

Toru Kobayakawa, Senior Director and the head of Office for Ukraine Crisis Response, Recovery and Reconstruction at JICA HQ, underlined the importance to support the Ukrainian public broadcaster. "Its enhanced journalism would protect the people of Ukraine from false information particularly related to the war in the short run. It would also contribute to more robust democracy of the country by serving the public's right to know in the long run", Mr. Kobayakawa said.

JICA has established fruitful cooperation with PBC. In 2017 it started implementing the first phase of technical cooperation project, which provided equipment, news and programming training and guidance from the Japanese counterpart - NHKI. Record of Discussion for second phase of the technical cooperation project was signed on November 29, 2022 and to be commenced in 2023.