The Department of Foreign Press and Information was founded in 1993. In 1995, the first students majoring in International Journalism graduated. Since then, a school of ‘worldview journalism’ has developed, carrying on the traditions of Mykola Shlemkevych (1894–1966), a Ukrainian philosopher, publicist, and a prominent public and political figure.
In their work, the staff of the Department are guided by several basic principles:
To us, the important questions are what?, where ?, and when? Answers to these questions make up the basis for being well-informed, but to have information does not mean to understand global events, therefore, why? is the most important question for journalism.
Journalism should be prompt, but when rushing to be fast, it is a good idea to remember the ancient principle of festina lente (make haste slowly) so as not to let the truth slip by in haste. Journalism should describe the present, but it is important to remember that the present can be an ancient history relived again. To see the phenomenon behind a mosaic of facts, the truth behind the multiplicity of lies. To prefer the eternal over the transient, ideas over interests, constructive aspects over finger-pointing.
We believe that the “universal journalist” should be not only tech-savvy but also strive for universal knowledge to have a panoramic rather than one-dimensional view of the world.
We are committed to the principles of fundamental journalistic education, because an international journalist, rather than simply informing about international events, primarily serves as a translator from one culture into another, from one worldview into another.
We are committed to the principles of journalistic specialization, as long as it avoids imitation of expertise and a simplified view of the world.
We support the latest communication technologies, but they cannot replace a journalist, who is often the first to interpret an event shared on social networks from the gadget of a random witness. The speed of information transfer should not result in vulgarization of the content quality. We teach through practice, but at the same time we understand that without knowledge and true values journalistic skills and abilities become meaningless.
Journalism for us is not catering to the hedonistic needs of the consumer but rather a search for the truth together with the reader
Marian Zhytaryuk, Chairperson at the Department of Foreign Press and Information Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine, Doctor of Science in Social Communications, Full Professor
Josyp Los, Doctor in political science, professor, professor of the department of Foreign Press and Information.
Taras Lylo, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor
Tеtiana Khomenko, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor
Iurii Melnyk, PhD in social communications, Associate Professor
Olha Kvasnytsia, PhD in social communications, Associate Professor
Andrii Melnyk, PhD in Social Communications, Assistant of Foreign Press and Information Department
Mykola Rashkevych, lecturer
Chrystyna Davydchak, lecturer