Speakers:● Denys Kazanskyi, journalist, writer● Serhii Stukanov, Head of the Institute of Sobornist, Head of the Analytical Department at the Center for Content Analysis● Andrii Yeremenko, Founder of the research company Active Group● Liudmyla Zahainova, Leading Consultant for Multimedia Projects at the Strategic Communications Department of the Donetsk Regional Administration● Oleksandr Makobrii, Deputy Director of the Department – Head of the Information Security Division, Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine
Moderator:Artem Zakharchenko, Head of NGO CAT-UA

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, independent regional media across Ukraine have faced extraordinary challenges: displacement, loss of revenue, staff burnout, and the urgent need to adapt editorial formats to survive. Yet, many local outlets have turned these pressures into opportunities, rethinking their models and building sustainable futures at a time when countless newsrooms have shuttered.

Since 2022 the project Improving Media Resilience in Ukraine, has supported more than 40 newsrooms to build sustainable practices and innovation, helping trusted local media continue to play a vital role in social cohesion.

The panel discussion will feature five regional newsrooms supported by this program, each of which has undergone a significant transformation since 2022. Mentors from the project will moderate the conversation to discuss how each media adopted new sustainable, income-generating strategies, what obstacles they overcame, and the lessons they can share with peers in regional media.

Speakers:
● Oleh Dereniuha, Founder of NikVesti online media outlet
● Nataliia Kobzar, Editor-in-chief of the news agency "Status Quo"
● Nataliia Popovych, Director-Editor, PP Horodok TRPC
● Maryna Osipova, Head of Digital Department in newspaper "Visnik Ch"
● Svitlana Zalizetska, RIA South Project Manager

Moderators:
● Sabra Ayres, Editorial and Country Representative, Fondation Hirondelle
● Oleksiy Soldatenko, Programs Director & Co-founder. IRMI, Institute for Regional Media and Information

In an era when audience attention is fragmented, media outlets face a choice: uphold journalistic standards by remaining transparent and committed to quality, or give in to the temptation of clickbait and the pursuit of quick views. How can responsible journalism be combined with the need to stay competitive in a market where “sensations” attract more clicks than thoughtful analysis? And is the audience ready to prioritize quality over mere entertainment?This panel will provide an open space to discuss the balance between standards, transparency, and popularity.
Speakers:● Olena Golub, Institute of Mass Information Analyst● Kateryna Sereda, Editor-in-chief of the online media outlet NikVesti● Anastasiia Dziubak, editor and media manager gre4ka.info● Galyna Petrenko, Director NGO Detector Media● Khrystyna Havryliuk, Head of Suspilne News
Moderator:Yana Mashkova, media analyst and researcher at the Institute of Mass Information

The recovery of Ukraine is impossible without strong journalism and public trust. The panel will bring together representatives of the media, government, business, and donors to discuss the role of journalism in ensuring transparency in the recovery process. Participants will share practical cases and their vision of how to make the media an infrastructure of trust and a partner in shaping the country’s future.
Speakers:● Gohar Khodjayan, Team Lead and Programme Manager - Europe and Global Response at International Media Support ● Jon Kyst, Special Advisor, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs ● Yanina Kornienko, Investigative Journalist at Slidstvo.info● Ganna Krasnostup, Director of the Department of Strategic Communications and Promotion of Ukrainian Culture at Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine● Dmytro Iakymchuk Senior Project Manager for Integrity Reconstruction Projects at EU Anti-Corruption Initiative● Serhii Hupiak, Deputy Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention
Moderator:Yevheniia Stadnik, Project Coordinator, Recovery Window Media Network

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Public Interest Journalism Lab, within The Reckoning Project, has been documenting war crimes to ensure that survivors’ testimonies can be used not only by the media but also in courts.

Yet between a crime and a verdict, years can pass — and during that time, people often feel abandoned.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for human rights defenders to draw attention to war crimes: human rights are being politicized, and audiences are growing weary of compassion. We believe that human rights journalism only matters when it serves survivors. That is why we view justice as a process — and adapt journalistic methods to support survivors along every step of that journey.

Throughout the past year, we have held facilitated meetings (town halls) with victims from frontline regions, together with prosecutors, police, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Victim Support Unit of the Prosecutor General’s Office. Residents of Luhansk and Donetsk regions have been subjected to crimes since 2014, which means their pursuit of justice has already lasted for more than a decade.

How can we work with people like these? What does justice look like in the fourth year of full-scale war, when accountability still feels distant? Where do communication gaps arise between survivors and investigators, and how can we bridge them? And finally — what can we do to make the road to justice as least painful as possible?
Speakers:● Hanna Mamonova, Journalist and War Crimes Researcher, The Reckoning Project, Public Interest Journalism Lab● Veronika Plotnikova, Head of the Coordination Center for Victim and Witness Support, Office of the Prosecutor General● Maryna Yeromenko, Representative of the Coordination Center at the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office● Hanna Popovychenko, a resident of Luhansk region who survived a Russian shelling during the evacuation from Sievierodonetsk● Maksym Yelihulashvili, Dialogue Facilitator
Moderator:Angelina Kariakina, Editor at the Public Interest Journalism Lab

The reform of Ukraine’s media sector envisions the introduction of new self- and co-regulation mechanisms aimed at improving journalistic standards, enhancing media accountability, and strengthening audience trust. At the core of this process are questions regarding the effectiveness of these tools, the readiness of market participants to take on new responsibilities, and their interaction with state institutions.
During the panel discussion, experts, media representatives, and regulators will discuss the practical results achieved so far, the challenges facing the reform process, and the steps needed to ensure that self- and co-regulation become effective instruments for developing a high-quality and independent media environment in Ukraine.
Speaker:● Volodymyr Honcharevskyi, Director of Development at TAVR Media● Galyna Petrenko, Director NGO Detector Media● Andrii Solomakha, Member of the board of the Internet Association of Ukraine● Oksana Davydenko, Deputy Director for Legal Affairs● Diana Dutsyk, Executive Director of the NGO "Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication", member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics● Roman Kifliuk, National Adviser for Ukraine, International Media Support (IMS)
Moderator:Uliana Feshchuk, Lawyer 

Research on media consumption shows that professional media outlets and journalists are gradually losing their important role in the lives of ordinary Ukrainians. Competing for the audience’s attention and trust against bloggers, influencers, and Telegram channels is becoming increasingly difficult. A generation is growing up that will not know media brands and will not understand why journalism matters. How can we re-explain ourselves to our listeners, readers, and viewers? How can we restore trust, without which we will gain neither attention nor financial support from the audience? What is our real influence and unique value for society—and what could it be? What trump cards do we have to outplay anonymous Telegram channels and TikTokers? Let’s talk about this in an open discussion format. Everyone will have the chance to share their concerns, hopes, and solutions.
Moderator:Otar Dovzhenko, Lviv Media Forum's Chief Creative Officer

A practical meeting with journalists from various regions of Ukraine, as well as foreign media, who have faced the challenge of delivering information in areas with limited access. Several newsrooms will share their successful cases of working with information received from temporarily occupied territories, as well as successful cases of transmitting information to occupied territories.
Speakers:● Anna Murlykina, Editor-in-chief 0629.com.ua● Evghenii Cheban, Editor-in-Chief of the MOST media project● Valeriia Krupoderia, Project manager and hotline coordinator for the Eastern Variant● Anna Serdiuk, editor-in-chief, Vinle Radio● Andrii Dikhtiarenko, editor-in-chief of “Realna Hazeta”
Moderator:Pani Troian, Radio presenter at Ukrainian Radio and Hromadske Radio; IMI representative in Luhansk region

The law on punishment for collaboration activities remains imperfect. It lacks clear definitions in certain areas, creating uncertainty around the legal consequences for Ukrainians living under occupation. A large proportion of residents in occupied territories are not informed about the legislative changes introduced in March 2022 and therefore do not know how they should behave toward the occupiers in order to avoid future problems with the Ukrainian legal system after de-occupation. At the same time, there is the precedent of impunity dating back to 2014, when courts acquitted or handed down suspended sentences to individuals involved in organizing sham referendums or participating in the operations of occupation authorities. It is possible that the lack of accountability in 2014 may have fueled collaboration in 2022.
This raises a critical question: how should the state act to establish a fair and just system of responsibility in this highly sensitive area? And what should we communicate to people under occupation so they clearly understand the legal foundations of safe conduct? To discuss this issue, we invite human rights defenders, journalists covering occupied territories, government representatives, and international experts.
Speakers:● Svitlana Lishchynska, Director● Olexander Zhila, Office of the Prosecutor General ● Stanislav Fedorchuk, Head of the board NGO Ukrainian People's Council of Donetsk and Luhansk region● Daria Svyrydova, Partner, LF AZONES 
Moderator:Onysiia Syniuk, Legal Analyst at ZMINA Center for Human Rights 

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has made journalism one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Ukrainian journalists are being captured by Russian forces, subjected to interrogations, torture, and even killings.
Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity after being tortured, has become a symbol of the dangers Ukrainian journalists face while carrying out their work. Dozens of journalists have endured captivity and torture, and many remain in Russian hands — often with no information about where they are or what is happening to them.
On this panel, journalists who have returned from captivity, investigators, and representatives of justice institutions will share personal testimonies, investigative findings, and perspectives on how to document these crimes and pursue accountability.
Speakers:● Yanina Korniienko, Investigative journalist, Slidstvo.Info● Pauline Maufrais, Regional Officer for Ukraine at Reporters sans frontières● Dmytro Khyliuk, Correspondent of the UNIAN news agency● Taras Semkiv, Head of Unit in the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict of the Prosecutor General's Office
Moderator:Anastasiia Stanko, Editor-in-Chief of the investigative journalism agency Slidstvo.Info

Ukrainian media — especially regional and frontline outlets — are facing a staffing crisis, which worsened after a decline in grant funding in January 2025. The reasons include journalists leaving the country, professional burnout, mobilization, the low prestige of the profession, the appeal of related fields, and the dangers of working in wartime conditions. Many media outlets are left with minimal teams or are forced to shut down. At the same time, the closure of international projects is leading to further layoffs of media professionals.

The discussion will focus on overcoming the talent shortage through internships, newsroom solidarity, role versatility, digital technologies, and the retraining of veterans and internally displaced persons. Strengthening cooperation between media outlets and educational institutions is also crucial. What mechanisms can align market interests with journalists’ needs? Can innovation, psychological support, and flexible collaboration models offer solutions? This conversation will serve as a platform to explore ways forward amid the challenges of war and global turbulence.

Speakers:
● Olena Melnyk, Deputy Director of the Employment Policy Implementation Department, State Employment Service of Ukraine
● Tetiana Marena, Acting Rector of Mariupol State University
● Sofiia Skyba, Executive Director of the online media outlet Pershyi Kryvorizkyi | 1KR.UA
● Diana Dutsyk, Executive Director of the NGO Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication
● Anastasiia Shevchenko, Project Lead at Jnomics Media Consulting

Moderator:
Andrii Yanitskyi, Chair of the Board, NGO ProMedia

This discussion is organised as part of the “Women Leaders in Media” conference by Women in Media NGO in collaboration with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany under the Civil Society Cooperation programme.
Threats to women journalists are increasingly shifting into the online space: deepfakes, doxxing, AI-powered attacks, disinformation, and defamation campaigns. We will discuss Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) — what it is, how it manifests, and what lessons can be learned from real-life experience.
Speakers:● Olena Mudra, Freelance Journalist, Zakarpattia Online● Mariana Chornievych, Chief News Editor, Hromadske Radio● Anna Kaliuzhna, War Correspondent, Freelancer● Viktor Baiov, Head of the Illegal Content Counteraction Department, Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
Moderator:Liza Kuzmenko, Head of NGO Women in Media, Member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics

Search engines no longer want to remain just search engines. This affects not only the traffic of news websites but also hits monetization hard. What will happen to Google Ads? How can websites be promoted when previous algorithms no longer work? What needs to be done to become visible both to AI and to the audience? We will discuss the problem and its impact on the financial situation of regional newsrooms that used to receive a significant share of their revenue from Google Ads, listen to expert advice on what to do next, and examine a case of successfully getting into AI.
Speakers:● Oleh Dereniuha, Founder of NikVesti online media outlet● Olha Odarchenko, co-founder of the agency SEOforMedia ● Viktor Kishchak, Head of Digital Projects at Forbes Ukraine
Moderator:Mariia Zaremba, project lead at Jnomics Media

As traditional funding sources become less accessible, independent media are seeking ways not only to survive but also to grow. This panel focuses on practical monetization strategies: merchandise as a branding and revenue tool, production studios as B2B services, and building a loyal community through subscriptions, events, and donations. Other innovative formats being tested by local newsrooms will also be discussed. The discussion will provide a space to share experiences and best practices that help independent media remain financially sustainable even in challenging times.
Speakers:● Tetiana Zhuk, Brand manager of the Eastern Variant Store● Yuliia Kozlova, Community Manager at CUKR.CITY● Nataliia Pakhaichuk, Editor-in-chief of the National Hyperlocal Media Network Rayon.in.ua● Yuliia Napolska, Production director● Serhii Prokopenko, editor Gwara● Anna Ovcharenko, CEO, EASTERN POINT
Moderator:Olha Stukalo, Managing editor at Recovery Window Media Network

War causes not only acute but also long-term psychological trauma, and journalists often find themselves in a state of chronic trauma, even if they are not always aware of it. Secondary trauma is the psychological impact of the traumatic stories that journalists process daily. How can its accumulation be avoided? Retraumatization is a repeated trauma that can result from unethical or careless attitudes of a journalist towards the subjects of their stories, or from an editor towards a journalist who has been in a combat zone. How can safe communication be established and the journalist’s psycho-emotional balance be maintained?
Speakers:● Stanislav Miroshnychenko, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief, Ukrainian NGO 'The Media Initiative for Human Rights'● Hanna Chernenko, Journalist at News 24 channel, coordinator of the Center for Journalistic Solidarity● Oksana Ivanytska, Journalist at Hromadske● Anton Pokaliukhin, Psychologist, specialist of the Mental Support for Media program organized by the Sustainability Foundation

Moderator:Tetiana Muratkina, Head of the Non-Governmental Organization “Masha Found”

This workshop is organised as part of the “Women Leaders in Media” conference by Women in Media NGO in collaboration with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany under the Civil Society Cooperation programme.
How do the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) transform newsroom operations and strengthen trust from audiences, donors, and partners? Using the case of Suspilne, you will learn where to begin implementing a DEI policy and what results it brings for teams and content.
Speaker:● Anastasiia Hudyma, Head of the Department for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunities, Suspilne Ukraine

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)● Vyacheslav Bondarenko, Head of the Lifestyle Monitoring Department of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC)● Yeliena Shchepak, CEO 18000 Media
Moderator:Sofiia Skyba, executive director of online media The First Kryvorizkyi

Participants of the workshop will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of media literacy and countering disinformation regarding relations between Ukraine and the European Union. The event is supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine within the framework of the “Project on raising awareness and strengthening resilience to disinformation about the EU in Ukraine,” funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with NGO “Internews Ukraine.”
Speakers:● Sergii Grytsenko, Strategic Communication Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine● Dzvenyslava-Mariia Shcherba, Analyst at Internews Ukraine

This workshop is organised as part of the “Women Leaders in Media” conference by Women in Media NGO in collaboration with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany under the Civil Society Cooperation programme.

Get acquainted with tools that help navigate new digital challenges: AI-powered aggregators of personal data, services for image verification and reverse image searches, tools for detecting fake accounts, and monitoring publications across media and social platforms. Special focus — AI-enabled gender-based violence against women journalists, activists, and politicians.
Speaker:● Daria Verbytska, CEO and Co-Founder, Molfar Intelligence Institute

Journalists document the present — but tomorrow it becomes history. Many media professionals, especially in recent years, have turned to longer storytelling formats. Some, continuing their professional interests, choose to create literature at the intersection of reporting and documentary writing, publicism and in-depth popular science research on a particular topic or problem. Others, on the contrary, consciously step away from their journalistic specialization and explore fiction, romantic poetry, or even children’s fairy tales. And all this happens in an era when clip thinking and short-form content — like TikTok — increasingly capture audiences of all ages.
So let’s talk to journalists who have gone beyond their media work and, on the pages of their books, shape narratives not just for today but with a view to historical and informational legacy. Or, conversely, offer readers an escape from reality and a journey into the world of rhyme and imagination. During the discussion, we invite participants to share what inspired them to write a book, where they see the value of this format, how they find inspiration and the strength for such meticulous, systematic work — and whether they plan to continue this practice.
Speakers:● Vadym Miskyi, Program Director at Detector Media, member of the Supervisory Board of Public Broadcasting● Yurii Lukanov, freelance, journalist● Dmytro Durnev, correspondent at Novaya Gazeta Europe● Denys Kazanskyi, journalist and writer● Marichka Paplauskaite, co-founder of The Ukrainians Media / Editor-in-Chief of Reporters magazine
Moderator:Maria Vereitina, Head of Strategic Partnerships at DII Ukraine and avid reader

In Ukraine, media consumption research using sociological methods has been conducted for over 10 years. Unlike quantitative audience measurements, such as TV people meters or online audience metrics from Gemius, these studies provide additional insights, allowing researchers to assess audience trust in information, as well as their subjective and actual ability to recognize disinformation. However, such research has limitations, particularly due to changes in media consumption: the dominance of smartphones and the popularity of the messaging app Telegram make it difficult to accurately measure what users actually read or watch. Many social media news items are copies of traditional media content, which adhere to standards and are pro-Ukrainian, whereas anonymous channels often spread unverified information. Therefore, when social media and traditional media are measured together, it is unclear what exactly trust is being assessed: official sources, bloggers, private chats with friends and family, or anonymous channels. As a result, current studies may only partially reflect reality, which can affect decisions made by investors and donors. Addressing this issue requires discussing the goals and methods of media consumption research with all relevant stakeholders to make the studies more relevant to rapidly changing conditions.
Moderator:Nataliia Lygachova, Head of the Detector Media NGO

Every event in the military has consequences or echoes in civilian life, and everything that happens in the country inevitably affects the armed forces. How can we talk about events and decisions while analyzing their impact on both sides of our shared reality? Sometimes conversations between the military and civilians require translation. How can civilians learn to “read” military news? What should be known to everyone—and what must remain off the record for security reasons, and how do we define that boundary? When most of the armed forces consist of former civilians who long to return to their previous lives, how can the media help them stay connected to “civilian reality”? What do service members dislike about media narratives on the Defense Forces? In particular, do they recognize themselves in the “portraits of heroes”? Ultimately, what tools can the media use to “stitch together” these divided experiences and help society take them into account when shaping the future?
Speakers:● Georgij Spasokukotskij, Press-oficer, The Territorial Defence Forces ● Nataliia Nagorna, Special correspondent TSN 1+1 channel● Anton Kotsukon, Communications Sergeant 110 SMBr
Moderator:Ivanna Skyba-Yakubova, Radio Khartia CEO

A workshop about how to stop getting stuck in difficult thoughts that spin around in your head and make it hard to live. We’ll talk about why the brain constantly “hooks” us on anxiety and self-criticism, and we’ll try several exercises to learn how to let go of these thoughts and move forward, focusing on what really matters to you.

Trainer:
Anton Pokaliukhin, psychologist and specialist of the Mental Support for Media program, organized by the Sociability Foundation in partnership with the Braincult Center.