Ukrainian journalists are not only chroniclers, but also participants in the creation of historical sources for future research and understanding of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. They record testimonies, war crimes, societal transformations, and personal stories for future generations, shaping the foundational layer of collective memory and serving as an important bridge between the present and history.
Within the framework of the discussion, the significance of oral history, documentary recording, interpretation of facts, and the interconnection between historical memory and identity will be addressed. The discussion will serve as a platform for sharing methods of comprehending the war, forming collective memory, and examining how the present is transforming into history before society’s eyes.
Speakers:● Olesia Bida, journalist, documentary filmmaker, The Kyiv Independent● Vasylisa Stepanenko, journalist, Associated Press, who documented events during the siege of Mariupol● Akim Halimov, producer, 1+1 media, founder of the “Real Story” project, public figure
Moderator:Anton Liagusha, academic Director of the Master Program in Memory Studies and Public History at the Kyiv School of Economics 

How can we tell veterans’ stories in a way that is truthful, avoids clichés or excessive pathos, and remains sensitive to their experiences? Where is the balance between respect, objectivity, and empathy in media, so that content neither stigmatizes veterans nor simplifies their stories? How can journalists work with veterans without relying on stereotypes, conveying their strength, professionalism, and humanity, while also revealing the complex emotional, social, and psychological aspects of life after war? 
This panel focuses on real, compelling stories that both inspire and inform, on language that reflects reality without distortion, and on approaches that help audiences genuinely understand veterans. Participants will discuss practical strategies for creating content that combines truth, empathy, and professionalism, and share examples of how media can contribute to a deeper, more nuanced, and fair representation of veterans in society.
Speakers:● Yevhen Shybalov, veteran● Viktoriia Sisetska, Advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine on сommunications● Roman Stelmakh, Project Manager of 1+1 media's "Life After Scars"
Moderator:Anastasia Pustova, Director of Strategic Communications, Co-founder of SUPERWISE Bureau

Panel discussion focused on the language choices of modern Ukrainian media and media covering events in Ukraine. Since 2022, more newsrooms have prioritized English versions to attract global attention. What is happening now, and how has the funding cut in 2025 affected media capabilities? Has using English helped media gain visibility worldwide?
Participants will also address the role of the Russian language as a communication tool with residents of occupied territories, diasporas, and post-Soviet countries, considering that a significant part of Ukrainian society no longer tolerates Russian. Special attention will be given to hard-to-reach and previously untapped audiences in different countries: should Ukraine seek new channels for these regions, and which language should be chosen—English, Ukrainian, or hybrid formats?
The discussion will provide a space to analyze risks, strategies, and practices that help media convey the truth about the war not only to supporters but also to skeptics and those influenced by Russian disinformation.
Speakers:● Mariia Gorska, Head of Slawa TV, Ukrainian editorial team of TVP, Warsaw● Yuliia Bin, Director General SE "THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING MULTIMEDIA PLATFORM OF UKRAINE"● Yuliia Tymoshenko, Head of NGO UKRAINER
Moderator:Nana Sajaia, Assignment Editor Newsmax, former associate producer Foxnews 

In society, there is still no unified opinion on whether it is worth continuing to operate the media of cities destroyed by Russia. Perhaps it is better to integrate into new communities and leave behind their regional identity? This dilemma is connected with the problem of preserving cultural identity and historical memory of the regions on one hand, and the pragmatism of adapting to new realities and communities on the other.
A discursive forum in such a context is a platform for open dialogue where various participants, including journalists and experts, can discuss the complex issues of the media landscape today as well as in post-war realities. This format facilitates the exchange of ideas, the search for common solutions regarding the preservation and transformation of regional media, and the establishment of mutual understanding between communities.
The format allows each forum participant to take a minute to briefly express their position on the question posed by the discussion moderator. At the end of the discussion, the moderator will draw certain conclusions from the expressed positions
Speakers:Meeting participants - each has the right to speak for one minute
Moderator:Iryna Eihelson, Associate Researcher, Mediation and Dialogue Research Center, NaUKMA

The prolonged aggression of Russia against Ukraine, attempts to influence democratic countries through a massive disinformation apparatus, and Ukraine’s movement toward membership in the European Union all make the updating and transformation of Ukrainian media legislation necessary. Currently, all participants in this process face a difficult task — finding a balance of changes that simultaneously allow for effective resistance to aggression, adaptation to EU media legislation, and the preservation of the financial and institutional independence of Ukrainian media.
Speaker:● Mykyta Poturaiev, Chairman of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy 
The list of participants will be specified.

Inclusion is not only about accessible environments; it is also about how media represent diverse social groups in their content. It encompasses recognizing diversity, adopting tolerant language, avoiding stereotypes, and fostering a barrier-free information space. Accurate reporting on issues related to disability, ethnicity, gender identity, or other characteristics helps break down barriers and ensures equal participation in public life. At the core should always be the person, not their “difference.” This panel will discuss how journalists and newsrooms can responsibly address inclusivity and shape a public discourse free of discriminatory clichés.
Speakers:● Anastasiia Hudyma, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities Department Suspilne Ukraine● Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor - Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Barrier-free Society. Office of the President of Ukraine.● Vira Chernygina, co-founder and board member of the NGO KYIVPRIDE
Moderator:Nataliia Parkhytko, Deputy head of the NGO "Dostupno.UA"

The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.

Investigative journalism shines a light on corruption schemes and the individuals involved, yet only a small portion of published findings ever reach law enforcement, the courts, and — even more rarely — result in convictions. Why does this happen? Is it a matter of limited resources and expertise within the media, or the inefficiency of law enforcement and the judicial system? We will discuss high-profile cases and analyze their outcomes, review which skills journalists need to increase the impact of their investigations, and assess how prepared the state’s legal infrastructure is to respond appropriately to public disclosures of wrongdoing.
Speakers:● Nataliya Onysko, Co-founder NGL.media● Olena Mudra, Investigative journalist, freelancer● Maryna Vereshchaka, MEDIAPORT project manager (online-media from Kharkiv)● Yeliena Shchepak, CEO 18000 Media● Alona Yashchuk, Public procurement monitoring specialist, DOZORRO project, Transparency International Ukraine
Moderator:Sofiia Skyba, Executive director of online media The First Kryvorizkyi

The discussion on effective cooperation between media and the military centers on balancing security, the public’s right to information, and the operational needs of the armed forces. Media representatives express concern that military press officers often delay comments or information, creating a vacuum that is quickly filled by rumors or inaccurate reports. Meanwhile, the military argues that unrestricted journalist access can jeopardize operational plans, unit safety, or civilian protection.
Another pressing issue is the preferential treatment of foreign media, which sidelines Ukrainian journalists, particularly those from regional outlets. Ethical boundaries also remain a key challenge: how can journalists cover critical events without turning information into a weapon for the enemy?
There is a strong call for clear standards of engagement, systematic training for press officers, a transparent accreditation process, and greater support for regional media to ensure both timeliness and quality.
Speakers:● Alexandr Borodin, Senior Communications Officer 3rd Army Corps● Stepan Dubas, Head of Communications Department, 11th Army Corps● Andrii Kovalov, Spokesperson of the Main Communications Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Moderator:Diana Butsko, frontline reporter for Hromadske

Most media professionals are used to “capturing” their audience within a paradigm inherited from newspapers, radio, and television: a well-defined circle of people who regularly turn to a particular media outlet. But is this still relevant in the age of social media with its mysterious content-promotion algorithms?
Can the modern media audience be seen as a clearly defined circle, or is it more like a space with Brownian motion, where each reader or viewer constantly changes the media they engage with? What do the audiences of contemporary Ukrainian media look like?
Is it even meaningful to talk about an audience in the traditional sense, when the latest trends in neural network development suggest that artificial intelligence may soon become the primary audience for classical media, since a significant portion of users already rely—consciously or not—on AI recommendations in their search for news.
The list of participants will be specified.

At a time when global attention to Ukraine is largely shaped by the full-scale war and geopolitical developments, the role of civil society in strengthening international understanding of Ukrainians as a people and a nation has never been more important. Every athlete competing abroad, every artist participating in a biennale, concert, or cultural exchange, every civic activist from the diaspora or on international missions — all contribute to Ukraine’s image. What tools do athletes, artists, civic leaders, and diaspora activists use? How do these efforts influence perceptions of Ukraine across different countries? And what can each of us do to help promote Ukrainian ideas and values worldwide?
Speaker:Kateryna Pavlova, Chief Operating Officer of the NGO CRISP, Germany
Moderator: Zoya Krasovska, “Come Back Alive” Foundation

Sooner or later, the Russian state in its current form will undergo transformation, reshaping the information landscape across vast territories. While the Kremlin’s propaganda machine will not vanish overnight, new societies, communities, and potentially independent republics will emerge, requiring their own voices and communication channels. Ukrainian media, with years of experience resisting imperial narratives, have a unique expertise: how to operate under information aggression, how to build trust, and how to avoid colonial framing. Now is the time to anticipate these scenarios—not only to respond to new realities but also to actively help shape them.
Speakers:● Rena Marutian, Director of the Institute of National Resilience and Security, Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv● Valerii Pekar, Chairman of the board, Decolonization NGO● Nataliya Gumenyuk, CEO of Public Interest Journalism Lab● Volodymyr Ogrysko, Minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine (2007-2009), CEO, Centre for Russian Studies, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine● Vyacheslav Likhachev, Expert Council member, Center for Civil Liberties
Moderator:Liubov Tsybulska, Expert on countering hybrid threats, head of NGO "Join Ukraine"