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● Olena Leptuha, Editor-in-chief of the media Nakypilo
Moderator:Nataliya Vygovska, editor-in-chief of regional network, IMI

The list of participants will be specified.

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 LLC "TRO "Radio Ukraine"
Moderator:Uliana Feshchuk, Lawyer 

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
Moderator:Pani Troian, Radio presenter at Ukrainian Radio and Hromadske Radio; IMI representative in Luhansk region

The list of participants will be specified.

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

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, Ukraine regional area officer / Reporters Without Borders
Moderator:Anastasiia Stanko, Editor-in-Chief of the investigative journalism agency Slidstvo.Info

The list of participants will be specified.

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

The list of participants will be specified.

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:● Yevhen Yavtushenko, CEO in CitySites● 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

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, Mental Support for Media program specialist

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

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

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

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

The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.