Who was Gareth Jones?
Excerpt from a Western Mail article by Robert Lloyd, May 2022
WELSH journalist Gareth Jones made his reputation exposing the Holodomor – Great Famine – in Ukraine.
Gareth Vaughan Jones (1905–35) was also a famous researcher and author who also reported on the tensions in Europe in the mid-1930s and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany.
The former Western Mail journalist met his death at the hands of supposed Chinese ‘bandits’ in Inner Mongolia.
The Gareth Jones exposé on the famine in Ukraine (which was made deadlier by a series of political decrees and decisions) was based on his own witness testimony after travelling in the region and revealed the scale and horror of the Holodomor to an international audience.
In recognition of the contribution made by Mr Jones to journalism and international affairs, much of his archive has been digitised and is held at the National Library of Wales.
Pedr ap Llwyd, chief executive and librarian of The National Library of Wales, said: “It is an extremely important archive and can now be shared with historians and researchers across the world.”
Lubomyr Luciuk, professor of political geography at the Royal Military College of Canada, said when the archive was completed: “Gareth Jones paid with his life for being a truth-teller, one of the first journalists to break the story about the genocidal Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Soviet Ukraine, the Holodomor.
“This brave Welshman’s commitment to reporting on the horrors of what was happening, even as the Soviets, their fellow travellers, and even Western governments covered up the truth, needs to be remembered and hallowed, particularly at a time when Ukraine is again a victim of war, invasion and the genocidal agenda of Vladimir Putin and his KGB confederates.”
Oksana Lodziuk Krywulych, officer-at-large of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), said: “The Ukrainian nation owes a debt of gratitude to Gareth Jones, a great man, who was not afraid to accurately report on the horrors of the Holodomor. He deserves to be honoured and remembered for documenting the truth when it was denied by many in the West. His reporting is especially telling today as Ukraine is once again suffering a genocide at the hands of the same perpetrator, while the world watches in real time.”
Lesya Hasydzhak, general director of the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide, Ukraine, said: “Today, in the 10th year of the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine, using as a weapon not only rockets and hunger but also propaganda – the power of the true word, objective reporting and deep scientific thought is precious.
“In this context, the role of researchers and journalists is crucial. It is very valuable that in Cardiff, in the heart of Wales, in the homeland of the brave and honest Gareth Jones, a scholarship program is established in his name for these professionals.
“His name is a symbol of dignity, of the triumph of truth and professional ethics. The more voices speak the facts and open the eyes of the world, the stronger the world will be in the face of the threat of totalitarian and misanthropic regimes.”
The digitised collection can be viewed at:
What is the scholarship?
The competition is open to all students and graduates at Welsh universities, particularly those considering a career in journalism or international affairs. The winner will receive £2,500 to fund travel to help them write a long-form feature of about 1,800 words on the topic of Wales and the World.
This piece will be published in the Western Mail as part of the newspaper’s commitment to the memory of Gareth Jones.
Mr Jones was killed in 1935, so 2025 is the 90th anniversary of his death. The Western Mail organised the original scholarship fund in his memory and will be commemorating his life next year.
Western Mail editor Catrin Pascoe said: “There is no doubt that Gareth Jones’ journalistic integrity continues to inspire our work at the Western Mail each day. We remain very proud of his legacy 90 years on.
“We are also delighted to be able to support this important scholarship and help young aspiring Welsh journalists progress in their careers – it feels particularly timely and poignant given the war in Ukraine and the everlasting need for factual reporting. I look forward to reading their entries.”
The scholarship was launched on September 20 at a Cardiff School of Journalism conference entitled Ukraine, Disinformation and Practising Journalism Against the Grain – Investigative Journalism: Bridging Narratives between Wales and Ukraine.
A representative for Y Werin who administer the scholarship, Dr Stuart Robb, who announced the award in front of students and journalists from both countries, said: “The Gareth Jones Memorial Travelling Scholarship was founded with the intent of supporting future generations to become global citizens.
“Y Werin is grateful to the support from Cardiff School of Journalism and the Western Mail for the launch of the 2024/25 scheme, particularly given Gareth Jones’ relationship with the Western Mail and the role the paper took in establishing the scholarship scheme.
“It is hoped that this year will not only be an opportunity to remember the importance of Gareth Jones and the lessons that we can learn from his life and relentless pursuit for truth, but will also serve to inspire and give opportunity to students, graduates, future investigative journalists and those called to take lead roles in international affairs in the years to come.”
Find out more about the conference here:
The award is administered on behalf of the trustees by the University of Wales’s Y Werin Cronfa Dreftadaeth Legacy Fund. More information can be found here:
How do I apply?
Applicants , who are students or graduates of Wales universities, should send a cover letter of no more than 500 words outlining their experience to date and their interest in journalism and/or international affairs. It may contain links to published work, including in student media, if available.
Also, a proposal of no more than 1,000 words outlining the intended story and why it fills the brief of Wales and the World. Include suggestions of interviewees, how the award would be spent and demonstrate consideration of any risks that might be involved by, for example, consulting FCDO travel advice.
Timeline
Entries, to be emailed to enquiries@ywerinlegacyfund.wales, will be accepted from January until the end of March, 2025.
A panel consisting of representatives of Y Werin, Cardiff School of Journalism and the Western Mail, will announce the shortlist in April.
The winner will be announced in May.
The winning applicant will travel and write up their story between June and September and the piece will be published in the Western Mail in October.
More details are available here Home – Y Werin Legacy Fund
