JTI REPORT

ТОВАРИСТВО З ОБМЕЖЕНОЮ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНІСТЮ «ДЕФЕНДЕР МЕДІА» / LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY «DEFENDER MEDIA» («DEFENDER MEDIA» LLC)

Yaroslavska str, 58 / Kyiv, Ukraine

Yaroslavska str, 58

04071

Kyiv

Kyiv region

Ukraine

+380931425299

[email protected]

Yes

Registration ID: 45781386

Yes

Online media entity · Media ID: R40-06247

Primary: Defender Media (website & other social media)

Additional: Зброярі x Defender Media (Telegram channel)

Yes

• https://thedefender.media/en/
• https://www.defenceinnovationmedia.com/

Yes

• https://x.com/DefenderMediaUA
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/defender-media/
• https://www.facebook.com/DefenderMediaUA
• https://t.me/DefenderMedia/
• https://www.youtube.com/@TheDefenderMedia

No

Yes

Defender Media is fully committed to protecting the physical and psychological safety of everyone who works for us — employed staff, freelancers and contributors — including those working in hostile, conflict-affected or high-risk environments.

No

No

No

2025-03-28

No

Yes

Editorial Policy & Guidelines

1. Purpose & status
This Editorial Policy sets out the mission, principles and editorial standards of Defender Media (“the Media Outlet”). It is the primary reference for everyone who creates, edits or publishes our content, and it is published in full at https://thedefender.media/en/.

2. Editorial mission & values
Our team is committed to objective, impartial and professional coverage of events in the field of military and defence technology. Our goal is to provide reliable and up-to-date information, adhering to high journalistic standards.

Our journalism is governed by the four JTI principles:
1) Accuracy — we take all reasonable steps to ensure information we publish is correct and not misleading, and we source and verify facts, statistics and third-party media.
2) Independence — editorial decisions are made free from undue influence by owners, commercial partners, advertisers, political actors or sources.
3) Fairness — we treat subjects and audiences even-handedly, give a right of reply where appropriate, and distinguish fact from opinion.
4) Accountability — we correct errors openly and provide clear routes for the public to raise concerns.

3. Scope & who this applies to
This policy applies to all editorial staff, editors, and external contributors (including freelancers and agencies) producing content for Defender Media. Contributors are required to adhere to it as a condition of publication.

4. Structure of editorial responsibility
Editorial responsibility at each stage of publication is assigned as follows:
- Commissioning / assignment: Journalist
- Editing & verification: Editor
- Final sign-off before publication: Founding Editor
- Overall accountability for these guidelines: Roman Sudolsky, Founding Editor

5. Safety of journalists
The safety of all journalists working for or with the Media Outlet is treated as a primary concern and takes precedence over the pursuit of any story. Detailed arrangements are set out in our Safety at Work policy.

6. Adherence, review & oversight
We operate an internal editorial process to ensure these guidelines are followed, and we review their effectiveness periodically. Significant updates are published at the URL above and notified to staff.

7. Adoption & review
Policy owner (named individual & role): Den Smyrnov, CEO & Founder
Date adopted: 12.03.2025
Approved by: Roman Sudolsky, Founding Editor
Published at (public URL): https://thedefender.media/en/editor_policy/
Review cycle: Reviewed annually; next review 12.03.2027
Version: 2.0

No

No

Yes

Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Tovarystvo z Obmezhenoiu Vidpovidalnistiu (ТОВАРИСТВО З ОБМЕЖЕНОЮ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНІСТЮ, TOV), registered in Ukraine.

Active legal entity.

No

No

No

SIGMA LABS AB

Roman Sudolsky
Nikita Zharov
Valery Krasovsky
Dmytro Vartanian
Daria Yaniieva
Oleksandra Govorukha
Yulia Ostroukh
Dan Olofsson
Andreas Olofsson
Hanna Olofsson
Johan Glennmo

Yes

https://opendatabot.ua/c/45781386
https://youcontrol.com.ua/catalog/company_details/45781386/

Den Smyrnov
Roman Sudolsky
Nikita Zharov
Valery Krasovsky
Daria Yaniieva
Oleksandra Govorukha
Artem Petrenko

Yes

https://opendatabot.ua/c/45781386 or https://youcontrol.com.ua/catalog/company_details/45781386/

Yes

Danir Group, owner of Sigma Group (owners of Sigma Labs AB).

Danir Group is an entrepreneur-led business held by the Dan Olofsson family. Founded in 1986, the group comprises primarily consulting companies that support our customers in their digitalisation. With 9,500 employees across 29 countries, they focus on entrepreneurship, long-term commitment and active community involvement.

Subsidiary groups - 6
Additional holdings - 13
Involvement - 18

IT & Business consulting
IT Engineering
Renewable energy
Lightning systems
Real estate
Advertising
Finance
VCs

No

Roman Sudolsky, Nikita Zharov - [email protected]
Valery Krasovsky - [email protected]
Daria Yaniieva - [email protected]
Oleksandra Govorukha - [email protected]
Yulia Ostroukh - [email protected]

Sigma Labs AB - [email protected]

Dan Olofsson - [email protected]
Johan Glennmo - [email protected]

Yes

https://danir.se/kontakt/ / https://thedefender.media/en/about/ / https://sigma.software/about/management-team

Den Smyrnov - [email protected]
Roman Sudolsky - [email protected]
Nikita Zharov - [email protected]
Valery Krasovsky - [email protected]
Daria Yaniieva - [email protected]
Oleksandra Govorukha - [email protected]
Artem Petrenko - [email protected]

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/about/ / https://sigma.software/about/management-team

SIGMA LABS AB - the corporate venture fund and startup ecosystem wing of Sigma Software Group.

Roman Sudolsky
Nikita Zharov
Valery Krasovsky
Dmytro Vartanian
Daria Yaniieva
Oleksandra Govorukha
Yulia Ostroukh

SIGMA LABS AB - 63%
Roman Sudolsky - 12%
Nikita Zharov - 8%
Valery Krasovsky - 6%
Dmytro Vartanian - 6%
Daria Yaniieva - 2%
Oleksandra Govorukha - 2%
Yulia Ostroukh - 1%

No

Den Smyrnov, Founder & CEO - [email protected]
Roman Sudolsky, Founding Editor - [email protected]
Nikita Zharov, CMO & Co-Founder - [email protected]

Kyiv, Ukraine, Yaroslavska str, 58

No

Yes

The media outlet covers highly sensitive topics related to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

Yes

• https://x.com/DefenderMediaUA
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/defender-media/
• https://www.facebook.com/DefenderMediaUA
• https://t.me/DefenderMedia/
• https://www.youtube.com/@TheDefenderMedia

Yes

Yes

The editorial team communicates with the public via email and official contact forms published on the website. We also respond to inquiries and feedback received through social media channels. Corrections, clarifications, and updates are published transparently in relevant articles when necessary.

No

Advertising
Content outsourcing
Memberships

No

Approximately USD 32,000 in the past 12 months.

Advertising - approx. 88%
Content outsourcing - approx. 8%
Memberships - approx. 4%

No

Yes

Limited personal data such as IP address, cookie identifiers, device and browser information, and basic usage/analytics data (e.g. pages visited, time spent, etc). If users subscribe to newsletters or submit forms, we also process email addresses and any information voluntarily provided.

The information is collected to analyse website traffic and audience engagement, improve content quality and user experience, ensure website security and functionality, and manage optional communications such as newsletters or user inquiries.

Data is processed using Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and internal audience insights tools based on aggregated website usage and search performance data.

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

We operate an internal editorial process to ensure our editorial guidelines are followed, and we review their effectiveness periodically.

Overall accountability for these guidelines: Roman Sudolsky, Founding Editor.

Yes

There are clear expectations, yes. This policy applies to all editorial staff, editors, and external contributors (including freelancers and agencies) producing content for Defender Media. Contributors are required to adhere to it as a condition of publication.

Yes

Our editorial responsibility at each stage of publication is assigned as follows:
1. Commissioning / assignment: Journalist
2. Editing & verification: Editor
3. Final sign-off before publication: Founding Editor
4. Overall accountability for these guidelines: Roman Sudolsky, Founding Editor

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/editor_policy/

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/editor_policy/

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/editor_policy/

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/editor_policy/

Yes

Yes, our policy protects the editorial independence of Defender Media by identifying and managing real, potential and perceived conflicts of interest that could compromise our journalism.

Yes

Yes. Our guidelines address business-related conflicts of interest, including relationships with advertisers, partners, owners, and competitors, and require disclosure and management to ensure editorial independence.

Yes

Yes. Our guidelines address political conflicts of interest. Although we do not engage in political activity, we cover public authorities and require disclosure of any political affiliations or activities that could affect editorial independence.

Yes

Our guidelines address personal conflicts of interest, requiring disclosure of any family, friendship, financial, or other personal relationships that could affect editorial independence, with reassignment or review where necessary.

Yes

Defender Media's structure protects our editorial processes from undue influence from within or outside the organisation, including from owners and commercial interests.

Yes

Yes. We apply an internal editorial workflow that includes fact-checking, source verification, and editorial review before publication to ensure accuracy. Any identified errors are corrected promptly according to our corrections policy.

Yes

Yes, we operate an internal, systematic process to ensure the accuracy of our content and adherence to our Editorial Guidelines. Content is subject to editorial oversight and verification before publication.

Yes

- Statistics are sourced and verified before publication;
- Externally supplied photographs, video and audio are sourced and verified;
- News-agency material is recorded and tracked;
- Individual journalists and external sources are identified (e.g. by byline) or recorded in the publishing system.

Yes

Yes. The implementation of our Editorial Guidelines is reviewed periodically through editorial oversight, staff feedback, and regular reviews of our editorial processes and policies.

Yes

Yes. Our accountability mechanisms are reviewed periodically as part of our ongoing internal editorial and governance processes to ensure they remain effective.

Yes

Yes, statistics are sourced and verified before publication.

Yes

Externally supplied images, video and audio are sourced and verified.

Yes

Individual journalists and external sources are identified (e.g. by byline) or recorded in the publishing system.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Where reporting is conducted from a specific location, this may be identified in our content where appropriate. However, in cases involving sensitive defence-related topics, location details may be limited or omitted for security reasons. Any constraints on location reporting, as well as any facilitation by external organisations or institutions, are disclosed within or alongside the report to ensure transparency.

N/A

No

Yes

Yes

Yes, where we use algorithms for the dissemination or curation of news content, we clearly indicate our policy on that use to the public.

Yes

Not applicable. While we are not formally affiliated with a specific regulatory or advisory body, we adhere to established international journalistic best practices and ethical standards, including accuracy, independence, transparency, and accountability.

Yes

We ensure the ethically appropriate treatment of violent and explicit content, weighing the public interest against the risk of harm or gratuitous distress.

Yes

We ensure the ethically appropriate treatment of content featuring children or other vulnerable people, including consideration of consent, identification and long-term impact.

Yes

We ensure the ethically appropriate handling of live content, recognising the reduced ability to apply editorial checks in real time, and we maintain safeguards accordingly.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Externally sourced material is checked against the same editorial principles as our own journalism. UGC and eyewitness content is verified before use and clearly labelled.

Yes

We take steps to ensure comment material published on our platforms is free from defamation, invasions of privacy, hate speech, harassment.

Yes

Yes

Yes, the UGC and eyewitness content is always clearly labelled.

Yes

Providers of such content are dealt with responsibly and ethically

Yes

We take steps to ensure comment material published on our platforms is free from defamation.

Yes

We take steps to ensure comment material published on our platforms is free from invasions of privacy.

Yes

We take steps to ensure comment material published on our platforms is free from hate speech.

Yes

We take steps to ensure comment material published on our platforms is free from harassment.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

We grant anonymity to sources only according to clear internal guidelines, and we make the reasons for granting anonymity clear to the public where possible.

Yes

Our journalistic activity protects the privacy rights and safety of individuals in line with our Editorial Policy.

Yes

Yes, our guidelines protect the independence of our journalism from its sources.

Yes

Yes, our guidelines require a diversity of sources in the production of content.

Yes

Yes, of course, all sponsored content on Defender Media is clearly labelled and made distinguishable from our own editorial content.

Yes

Yes

Yes, all sponsored content is clearly labelled with special icons and markings.

Yes

Yes, all sponsored content is made perfectly distinguishable from our own editorial content.

Yes

News content is clearly distinguished from opinion content.

Yes

News content is clearly distinguished from commercial content.

Yes

Yes, news content is clearly distinguished from material supplied by external, non-journalistic bodies.

Yes

Yes

If you believe we have published something inaccurate, you can tell us at [email protected]. This route is open to the public and to anyone directly involved in a story.

Yes

We acknowledge complaints promptly and assess them fairly. Complaints are handled by our team. Where an outlet is large enough, complaints are escalated to a senior member of staff not connected to the original story.

Yes

Where a significant inaccuracy is confirmed, we publish a correction promptly and transparently, in a similar place and manner as the original (for example at the same URL, or in equivalent broadcast time and format).

Yes

Yes

We are committed to resolving complaints in a fair, reasonable and timely manner, and our editorial and freelance staff are made aware of this process.

Yes

Yes

https://thedefender.media/en/about/

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

We are not currently a member of a formal external accountability system. We are committed to joining an appropriate external accountability mechanism for our editorial content and are actively evaluating suitable options for future adoption.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Yes

Yes

Our recruitment guidelines include a diversity policy aimed at building a workforce that reflects the audiences and communities we serve.

Yes

We maintain guidelines for the recruitment and training of editorial staff, designed to uphold our editorial standards and the safety and welfare of staff.

Defender Media recognises that journalism can expose staff to material and situations that affect their wellbeing, and is committed to supporting them.

No

Yes

Our recruitment guidelines address staff welfare, and our employment and contracting arrangements protect the editorial independence of staff and contract journalists.

Our rules and procedures support equality of opportunity in recruitment, development and progression.

Yes

Yes

N/A

Yes

Yes, we have separate Freelance Contributor Agreement and proper guidelines of working with freelance journalists.

Yes

Yes, the external contributor agrees to follow our editorial guidelines, corrections process, AI-use and labelling policy, and source-protection rules, and to produce original, accurate work that is not plagiarised and does not knowingly infringe third-party rights.

Yes

Our rules and procedures protect against discrimination in the workplace on any protected ground under applicable law.

Yes

Our rules and procedures support equality of opportunity in recruitment, development and progression.

Yes

This policy works alongside our Safety at Work policy, which addresses physical safety including protection for journalists in hostile environments.

Yes

We provide support to editorial staff exposed to material of a sensitive or upsetting nature, including workload management, the ability to rotate tasks away from distressing content, and internal editorial debriefing. Staff are encouraged to take breaks when needed and can access professional psychological support if required.

Yes

We provide support to editorial staff who have suffered physical or psychological harm in the course of their work, including access to medical assistance when needed, psychological support through professional counselling services, and internal debriefing with editorial leadership. In addition, staff are encouraged to report safety concerns immediately and may temporarily pause or adjust assignments to ensure their wellbeing.

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No