Following the publication of their investigations, journalists may face threats, information attacks, and pressure through state mechanisms - including the initiation of formal proceedings, inspections, and lawsuits. During the two-day training, these cases were described by Myroslava Prymak, a journalist from Chetverta Vlada, who provided examples of interference both in the work of her newsroom and in her own professional activities.

The second training session, entitled “Protection of Journalists’ Professional Activities and Freedom of Expression in Ukraine: Countering Impunity”, was dedicated to strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond to such challenges. It was organised in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine as part of the Council of Europe “Journalists Matter” Campaign for the Safety of Journalists. Representatives of the media sector, police, and prosecution services took part in the event.

Nataliia Lygachova, Head of the NGO Detector media and Editor-in-Chief of the Detector media portal, focused on the role of journalists in society as a tool of public oversight and on the importance of effective communication between the media and law enforcement bodies. She emphasised that high-quality interaction between these parties is one of the prerequisites for proper investigation of crimes and for ensuring freedom of expression.

Issues related to international standards for the protection of freedom of expression and guarantees of journalists’ safety were addressed by Liudmyla Opryshko, Council of Europe consultant, lawyer, and media law expert at the NGO Human Rights Platform. She also presented the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning journalistic activity, including the protection of journalistic sources, focusing on evidentiary issues, judicial practice, and the effectiveness of investigations.

A separate session on the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists was delivered by Dariia Terebei, representative of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. She explained how the Ministry co-operates with the Platform and responds on behalf of Ukraine to alerts concerning crimes or offences against journalists published on its website.

Tetiana Oleksiiuk, Council of Europe consultant, expert on access to public information, and Vice-President of the Group of Specialists on Access to Official Documents under the Tromsø Convention, provided a detailed overview of key aspects of the right of access to information as one of the fundamental mechanisms of freedom of expression and a tool for journalistic activity. She focused on European standards in this field, including approaches reflected in the practice of international institutions and their implementation in Ukrainian legislation. Particular attention was paid to the grounds for restricting access to information, the principles governing their application, and the “three-part test”, which allows for assessing the legality of such restrictions in light of public interest, necessity, and proportionality.

Anton Abadzhian, prosecutor at the Office of the Prosecutor General, addressed issues related to the legal classification of criminal offences and the specific features of pre-trial investigations in such cases.

Concluding the training, representatives of the National Police of Ukraine emphasised the importance of a systematic and consistent approach to countering crimes against journalists. This includes both enhancing the professional capacity of law enforcement officers and developing sustainable cooperation with the media community. The knowledge and practical tools acquired will contribute to more effective investigations, strengthening trust between stakeholders and, ultimately, ensuring an adequate level of protection of freedom of expression in Ukraine in line with Council of Europe and European Union standards.

In particular, the Council of Europe supports Ukraine in implementing anti-SLAPP mechanisms based on developed recommendations. On 6 May, a round table will be held in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine’s legislative package on anti-SLAPP, developed by a working group led by Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Expression, with expert and financial support from the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine –  Phase II” (SFEM-UA - Phase II) is implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.