Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine (SFEM-UA)
About the Project
The Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) is the first phase of the four-year Action implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for the period of 2023-2026 (hereinafter “the Action Plan”) that aims to address the urgent needs of major stakeholders and media players in the country amid the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.
In the process of preparing the Action Plan and developing the Project, the Council of Europe carried out a thorough analysis of the national context and organised consultation with major stakeholders and partners in the fields of media, freedom of expression and freedom of access to information to assess their needs and priorities for the next few years. This includes, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the National Council of Television and and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, the Public Broadcasting Company (Suspilne), the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Parliament of Ukraine, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), members of the media community, civil society representatives, academia, etc. Particular attention was given to the conflict-related threats and challenges faced by the media community in Ukraine and other actors, ensuring timely support throughout the war and in the post-conflict environment.
The Project’s activities are structured around three components focusing on:
Component 1: Alignment of Ukraine’s framework on media, freedom of expression and freedom of access to information with the European standards.
Component 2: Effective implementation of the legal framework governing the protection of journalists, public broadcasting and regulatory authority in line with European standards.
Component 3: Effective and efficient communication strategies governing a balanced media coverage and preventing information disorder.
The Project has the following target beneficiary institutions: Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (Suspilne), Ombudsperson’s Office, Parliamentary Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, journalists and media organisations, civic society organisations, academia, others.
Council of Europe Legal Opinions and Policy Advice Documents
Suspilne election process as a key step in protecting media independence
Suspilne Ukraine, the country’s public broadcaster, plays a crucial role in providing reliable information, upholding journalistic integrity, and ensuring media independence, especially during times of war. The upcoming elections for the Chair of Suspilne’s Management Board, scheduled for April...
European Journalism Summit: Ukrainian Journalists Share Their Experience Countering Propaganda and Using AI
Ukrainian journalists regularly face the challenges of hybrid warfare, where disinformation serves as a key weapon. With the support of the Council of Europe, prominent Ukrainian journalists shared their experiences in countering propaganda amidst Russia’s military aggression at the international...
The Council of Europe remains committed to supporting legislative changes in the media sphere of Ukraine
The adoption of the new Law “On Media” in December 2022 and the Law “On Advertising” in May 2023 were crucial milestones in Ukraine’s EU accession process, specifically under “Step 6” of the priorities. The European Commission report related to Ukraine’s accession status confirmed that step 6 –...
Council of Europe Brings Together Ukrainian and International Experts to Implement Anti-SLAPP Standards
Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are a tool often used to silence journalists working on matters of public interest. These attempts take various forms, including harassment, intimidation, lawsuits, and in Ukraine, recently, the issuing of summonses to men performing...
“Vilnius Dialogue" Conference Highlights Freedom of Expression and Countering SLAPPs in Europe
Representatives of the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights participated in the "Vilnius Dialogue" Conference: Fostering the Culture of Public Debate in Europe. The event focused on implementing the requirements of Article 10 of the European Convention...
16th Ukrainian Investigative Journalists Conference: Issues of Safety of Journalists and SLAPPs in Ukraine Remain Relevant
Why strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Ukraine cause certain concerns among journalists and media lawyers and how they relate to the issues of safety of journalists – such debatable questions were raised amongst others during a three-day "Post/Surveillance: Investigative...
Key Stakeholders Discuss New Legal Measures and Strategies to Combat SLAPPs in Ukraine
The round table on the topic of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, Members of Parliament, representatives from the Prosecutor General Office, and civil society organisations....
Countering Disinformation During a War of Aggression. Ukrainian Media Regulator presented key challenges at the workshop in Moldova
Ms Olha Herasymiuk, the Chair of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, Ms Iryna Parkhomenko, Head of the Division of the Legal Department, and Mr Ihor Tymofieiev, Chief Specialist of the Division of Monitoring, Research and Content Analysis in Media of the...
CALL FOR TENDER by 31 July 2024: Consultancy services to support the development of the Educational Broadcasting Concept of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine
The Council of Europe is currently implementing a Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” financed under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026. Within this co-operation framework, the Council of...
Legal Regulation of Online Platforms in Ukraine: Possible Avenues
What should be done to ensure a safe online information space resilient to disinformation, propaganda, and other harmful content? How should the work of information-sharing online platforms be regulated in Ukraine? What challenges does Ukraine face in integrating its legislation into the EU legal...
Olena Demchenko
Senior Project Officer
Khrystyna Zaplatsinska
Project Assistant
