The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.

The experience of countering disinformation over the past 10 years shows that merely debunking fake news spread by Russian (and not only Russian) propaganda is not effective. It is necessary to teach people how to verify information for accuracy and to cultivate habits of information hygiene. Such efforts are underway, but unfortunately, the results so far are not encouraging. Despite numerous training courses, government projects, and public initiatives aimed at improving media literacy, the overall level remains insufficient. According to a study conducted by Internews Ukraine and published in September 2025, 75% of Ukrainians consider themselves capable of recognizing false information. However, practical tasks reveal that only 6% were actually able to successfully complete exercises based on concrete examples.

What is wrong with the current efforts to improve media literacy among Ukrainians? How can the situation be changed for the better and media literacy made an integral part of Ukraine’s information security system? These questions will be discussed during the panel discussion.
Moderator:Diana Dutsyk, Executive Director, Ukrainian Media and Communacation Institute

Independent media are the foundation of democracy and, consequently, the guarantor of a transparent business environment and sustainable entrepreneurial development. At the same time, business itself can become a strategic partner for quality media, ensuring the resilience of the informational space. Within the panel, we will discuss what is valuable for business in partnership with the media; which forms of cooperation have already proven effective in areas such as recovery, innovation, education, and the promotion of entrepreneurship; why the responsibility of business for the development of independent media should be seen as an element of corporate social responsibility; and what opportunities exist for both relocated and non-relocated companies, taking into account the financial limitations of some and the social strategies of others. The panel will provide a platform for dialogue among entrepreneurs, media representatives, and experts to develop a shared vision of how business and independent media can support each other and create favorable conditions for the development of democracy and the economy.
Speakers:● Vita Halko, Director of the Advertising Department, Hromadske● Uliana Kolodii, Founder of the communications agency UK comms● Olena Zubarieva, Director of Strategic Communications and Development, TERWIN Corporation● Alina Smyshliak-Boroda, Chief Reputation & CSR Officer
Moderator:Mariia Vereitina, Head of Strategic Relations & Impact of DII Ukraine

Over the past two years, artificial intelligence has become an integral part of newsroom operations in Ukraine and worldwide. Automating routine tasks, generating texts and visuals, and supporting data analysis unlock new opportunities for journalism, while raising critical questions of accuracy, copyright, ethics, audience trust, and the risk of overreliance on algorithms. Last year, we discussed the first steps regional media were taking: according to NGO Institute of Mass Information, 22% of Ukrainian newsrooms used AI tools on a regular basis, though concerns remained high. Since then, technology has advanced rapidly: a 2025 study by NGO Makes Sense shows that 83% of editorial teams now employ AI in their daily work. How has newsroom adoption evolved? What new opportunities and risks are emerging for journalists? Join us to explore practical experiences and insights.
Speakers:● Tetiana Avdieieva, Senior Legal Counsel, Digital Security Lab Ukraine● Vladyslav Iatskiv, Chief Digital Editor (RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s information space has shown somewhat contradictory trends. On one hand, Ukrainian-language content across various fields is actively developing and improving in quality. On the other hand, the economic and security crisis makes it difficult for niche newsrooms to survive, especially those covering topics that may seem “out of season.” War news attracts the largest reach, yet audiences also need content for mental, moral, and informational recovery. Does this mean trade and niche media — covering sports, culture, or science — lack space to grow? What value do they provide their audiences today, and what role could they play in the country’s future recovery? What strategies can these media adopt to survive and adapt, explore new formats and funding models, and retain or expand audiences when “out of season” becomes a challenge for every newsroom?
Speakers:● Daria Trapeznikova, Founder of the newsletter about media industry "Рівні медіа" (Levels of media) and ex editor-in-chief of MediaMaker● Oleksandr Mymruk, Head of NGO Chytomo● Kyrylo Beskorovainyi, Publisher at KUNSHT
Moderator: Danylo Vereitin, Football.ua journalist 

The list of participants will be specified.

“A costly luxury” or a source of monetization? Short-form or long-form? Faceless or with a journalist on screen? Live streams or pre-recorded content? News reports or documentaries? Video formats are reshaping how audiences consume information, what they expect from the news, and the roles they assign to media.
In Ukraine, especially since the start of the full-scale war, this transformation has accelerated: video has become a crucial channel for building trust, fostering emotional engagement, and enabling rapid response. According to MDF research, by 2025, 93% of newsrooms are producing video content, up sharply from 62% in 2024.
At the same time, new challenges are emerging: how to preserve journalistic depth and objectivity in formats designed for speed and emotion; how to ensure the financial sustainability of media through video; how to adapt formats to audiences with varying levels of digital literacy; and to what extent ethical standards and fact-checking can withstand the pressures of infotainment.
Speakers:● Oleksiy Khutorny, project manager at Media Development Foundation● Vadym Lubchak, Head of Digital, SE "International Broadcasting Multimedia Platform of Ukraine"● Iryna Masliukova, Social Media Editor at Donbass Realii (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty project)● Dmytro Zinchuk, Team Lead/Lead Expert on Media Development at Internews Ukraine● Maryna Osipova, Head of Digital Department in newspaper «Visnik Ch»
Moderator:Yuliia Didenko, Editor-in-chief of the "News of Donbas" website

In the era of digital media and social networks, the role of print publications in Ukraine is undergoing significant transformations. Newspapers, which for decades were the main source of news and analysis, are now forced to explore new formats to compete with online platforms and retain readers’ attention. Is there still a place for traditional newspapers in today’s media market, or does the future belong exclusively to digital media?
During the discussion, experts will examine the challenges and prospects of print media in Ukraine, from changes in reading habits and business models to questions of trust and content quality. We will try to understand whether traditional newspapers can find their niche in a digital-competitive environment and what new opportunities arise from combining traditional and modern formats.
Speakers:● Serhii Narodenko, Media Visnyk Ch, editor● Serhii Chernyavskyi, Chairperson of the Joint Self-Regulatory Authority for Print Media
Moderator:Lina Kushch, First Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine

Ethical, legal, and social aspects of photographing and filming the consequences of Russian aggression: destruction, victims, and the humanitarian crisis. The main focus is on finding a balance between documenting the truth for history, providing evidence for tribunals or the media, and the potential exploitation of such topics for hype, manipulation, or sensationalism. How do photographs shape the image of war in the public consciousness? Does the frequent exposure to shocking images demotivate or traumatize society? What role does the consent of those being photographed play?
Speakers:● Liudmyla Huseinova, “Numo,sisters!”, Human rights activist,foundress● Daria Litovchenko, Correspondent at MPIU "Freedom"● Viktoriia Beha, Deputy Editor-in-Chief for Web at Hromadske
Moderator:Tetyana Troshchynska, Journalist, Anchor, Director of the Strategic Analysis Department at Suspilne Ukraine 

As this year’s research by the Lviv Media Forum and International Media Support shows, media consumption trends since 2022 remain stable: Ukrainians trust Telegram and YouTube more than traditional media. At the same time, nearly 40% of respondents never verify the accuracy of information. Social media have become the main source of news, offering newsrooms rapid audience access, new formats, and stable traffic. Yet these same platforms are key channels for disinformation, propaganda, and manipulation. For media, this presents a dual challenge: how to stay present where the audience is while avoiding the amplification of harmful algorithms and viral falsehoods.
Speaker:● Kristina Rud, Public Interest Tech Adviser in International Media Support

The list of participants will be specified.

Young audiences live in an environment where the entry point to information is not a brand but algorithms and influencers. Trust in traditional media is low, and "negativity fatigue" drives news avoidance. At the same time, demand for verified information is rising due to the spread of propaganda and the risks of war. The challenge for newsrooms is to transform "serious" topics into useful, timely, and personally relevant content without sacrificing journalistic standards.

What news formats can capture young audiences’ attention and sustain their interest? And what role should journalists play to ensure that young people not only consume but also take an active role in shaping the news conversation?
Speaker:● Anastasiia Bakulina, "Svidomi"

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

The list of participants will be specified.

The list of participants will be specified.