Ukrainian media professionals took part in the European Audiovisual Observatory workshop “Rebuilding Ukraine’s Audiovisual Sector: How Can European Professionals Help?” and related thematic seminars with the support of the Council of Europe project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine – Phase II” (SFEM-UA – Phase II). Building on the project’s ongoing efforts to support the alignment of Ukrainian media legislation and practices with European standards, the exchanges also provided an opportunity to explore potential follow-up activities.
The events were organised by the European Audiovisual Observatory in co-operation with the EU Twinning project “Reforming audiovisual media regulation in Ukraine in line with EU standards and international best practices”. They brought together representatives of regulatory authorities, broadcasters, audiovisual producers and platforms to discuss the challenges facing Ukraine’s audiovisual sector amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and explore opportunities for international co-operation to support its recovery and development.
The thematic seminars on 7–8 October focused on European regulatory approaches to audiovisual content and independent production. Participants discussed requirements concerning European works and quotas, the criteria for independent producers, and the practical implementation of relevant rules across different national regulatory systems. Exchanges with representatives of regulatory authorities from France, Italy, Greece and Germany provided an opportunity to compare European practices with the Ukrainian legal framework.
The workshop on 9 October broadened the discussion to the strategic priorities for rebuilding and developing Ukraine’s audiovisual sector. Four sessions addressed public support for audiovisual production, state aid, audiovisual services and digital platforms, and the role of regulators. Participants considered the effects of the Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine on the Ukrainian media market, the challenges facing content producers and broadcasters, and the role of European co-operation in sustaining production, developing professional capacities and strengthening the sector’s resilience.
For Suspilne Ukraine, the discussions provided an opportunity to highlight its interest in expanding the presence of European content on its channels and further developing co-operation with European producers. Drawing on its experience with EU-funded support programmes in 2022–2025, Suspilne also emphasised the importance of continued European assistance for content production and acquisition, particularly in the context of the war’s impact on the Ukrainian media market.
The discussions also highlighted the potential for further co-operation with the Council of Europe to support the alignment of Ukrainian media legislation with European regulatory standards including the possibility of developing a dedicated training course on content acquisition and programming, focusing on the application of European regulatory standards to linear audiovisual media services and OTT platforms, with a view to informing the possible development of a dedicated training course in Ukraine.
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.
