Ukraine has found itself at the center of a vast global chessboard. The world has entered an era of intensified conflicts and military confrontations. The previous international order is collapsing. Global and regional organizations are losing their influence, and the international security system has effectively collapsed. The rule of law is increasingly being replaced by the law of force.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has triggered not only a protracted Russo-Ukrainian war but is evolving into a broader regional conflict in Europe. All means are being employed: from information and psychological operations to the deployment of tanks, multiple rocket launchers, and fighter jets; from hybrid attacks to advanced technologies; from blatant lies and disinformation to threats of nuclear weapons use.
What factors are shaping this rapidly evolving situation? What global model is emerging? What are the primary objectives and strategies of the key geopolitical players? How can Ukraine survive and thrive in the decades ahead? Is membership in the European Union and NATO a realistic prospect? These complex questions defy simple answers.
Interviewer:Viktor Shlinchak, The founder and the head of the board of the Institute of World Policy
Speaker:Valeriy CHALY, Chair of the UCMC Board, Ambassador

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russian army has committed extensive war crimes against the Ukrainian population. The entirety of Ukraine has been turned to a crime scene, and the vast scale of the violence will challenge national and international judicial processes for years to come. It is more important than ever to show Ukrainians and international audiences that investigating and prosecuting war crimes is vital and there are avenues to justice and accountability. The scale and complexity of judicial proceedings are creating however a particular challenge for the media, which will tend to focus on high points – such as the fi rst and the last days of a trial – but neglect critical procedural aspects or detailed content, as well as the legal complexities, resource realities and other issues in actually establishing justice. The Ukraine Justice Report trains and mentors local Ukrainian journalists to produce accurate court reporting and coverage, as well as publishing dedicated analysis, interviews and news features on key ongoing justice issues. During the workshop, the speakers will give practical advice on how to cover legal proceedings and report on war crimes while maintaining ethical standards and producing engaging content. In addition, a number of tips and insights gathered during the project will be shared, providing an opportunity for attendees to ask their own questions on the subject.
Speakers:● Olga Golovina, IWPR editor, journalist, producer, communications expert● Oksana Maksymeniuk, Head of Legal Affairs at the Regional Press Development Institute (RPDI), media lawyer, barrister

How to make regional investigative journalism mainstream — a question many local newsrooms face today. How can journalists find the right balance between depth and accessibility of content? Can short videos and texts be as impactful as in-depth longreads? During the panel, participants will discuss which formats work best for local audiences, how to effectively distribute investigations through social media, video, podcasts, and interactive materials, and will share practical advice on creating content with the potential to go mainstream even with limited resources.
Speakers:● Maksym Savchuk, investigative journalist at Slidstvo.Info, Head of the Investigations Department at the BRC● Maria Zemlianska, investigative journalist at Bihus.Info● Artur Chemerys, investigative journalist, co-founder of the Cherkasy regional media 18000● Serhii Sydorov, investigative journalist, Head and co-founder of the Zaporizhzhia Center for Investigations● Valerii Bolhan, media manager, Head of CPR and Editor-in-Chief of Intent
Moderator:Martyna Bohuslavets, Head of the Anti-Corruption Center Mezha

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.
Speakers:● Aliona Romaniuk, KNU Shevchenko — Lecturer at the Department of Online Media NotaYeNota — Founder, Fact-checker● Svitlana Yeremenko, Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democrasy, executive director● Vasyl Slychko, senior analyst at the Centre for Countering Disinformation● Olena Taranenko, сapacity building manager, IREX in Ukraine 
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● Serhii Kolesnikov, co-founder of SHOTAM - positive news and stories, soldier of the Separate Presidential Brigade
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)● Oleksii Minakov, Consultant and educator in Generative AI● Yuliia Mashuta, Digital Director of the NGO "Makes Sense"
Moderator:Serhii Mitiaiev, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of gagadget.com

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● Oleksandr Hlyvynskyi, President of the Association of Sports Journalists of Ukraine● Kyrylo Beskorovainyi, Publisher at KUNSHT● Oleksandr Varenytsia, Media manager at music media Melted Vox (ex-Mixmag Ukraine)
Moderator: Danylo Vereitin, Football.ua journalist 

In a world where traditional media and bloggers coexist and interact, the question arises: how exactly do they collaborate and compete? New media—bloggers, influencers, anonymous channels—actively shape the information space, yet their activities remain largely free from the regulatory constraints typical of classical media. Despite the importance of reputation for media, many questions about adherence to standards persist within the journalistic community, since reputation is built not only on rules but also through trust, transparency, and a culture of accountability, which in Ukraine is still evolving.
Many professional journalists have transitioned into opinion leaders, becoming bloggers and content creators. Do they maintain journalistic standards and responsibility in the process? How can the authenticity of new media be integrated with the trust and ethics of traditional outlets? What formats and strategies can balance the interests of all players to create a responsible and healthy informational environment?
Answers to these questions will help identify effective paths for media development in the digital age.
Speakers:● Denis Kazanskyi, journalist, writer ● Petro Andriushchenko, Head of Center for the Study of the Occupation ● Danylo Mokryk, journalist, The Kyiv Independent● Olexii Viediaiev, CEO at Grnt Media● Natalia Ostrovska, TSN presenter, mentor of the social project Make a Dream Come True from 1+1 media
Moderator:Taras Shevchenko, Co-founder and Developing Director, Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law

“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● Kostyantyn Grygorenko, Director, publisher of "OBRII 1919" LLC● Anna-Mariia Padlevska, Communication manager YouControl та YC.Market● Iryna Khramova, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, National Newspaper “Ukraina Moloda”● Valentyn Koval, First deputy chairman, National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting 
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● Mykola Tymchenko, Photo and video journalist, media Rubryka ● Viktoriia Beha, Deputy Editor-in-Chief for Web at Hromadske● Daria Frai, correspondent at MPIU “Freedom”● Stanislav Kozliuk, freelance reporter
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:● Vitalii Ulybin, Founder and Editor in Chief “PoltavaWave” and “Sil.Media” publications● Olena Shemet, Head of SMM for Donbas News● Olena Dub, Media expert, consultant for media and non-profits. Co-founder of the "SMM Talks for NGO & Media" community● Kristina Rud, Public Interest Tech Adviser in International Media Support● Maksym Vikhrov, Senior analyst, Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security
Moderator:Alona Romaniuk, KNU Shevchenko — Lecturer at the Department of Online Media; NotaYeNota — Founder, Fact-checker

A heated debate between bloggers and journalists, with the audience — both journalists and bloggers — invited to step in and deliver the verdict. Two carefully selected teams whose members may not even know each other personally, yet are well known to many at the DMF. A strict moderator who secretly wants to take sides but cannot — for the sake of objectivity, diversity, completeness, and timeliness. Concepts that, no matter how you twist or turn them, we often understand differently. How close can we actually get to common ground? And if we do — will it be a shock or a breakthrough?
We welcome the publication of blog posts and other materials inspired by the debate.
Note: No artificial intelligence was harmed in the making of this announcement.
Speakers:
● Viktoriia Yermolaieva, Editor-in-Chief of Hromadske Radio
● Lena Chichenina, Editor-in-Chief of the media tabloid Antonina by Detector Media, art reviewer at Espreso TV channel
● Muslim Umerov, journalist and co-founder of CrimeaVox
● Dmytro Chekalkin, CEO of the Open Horizon charitable foundation, blogger
● Mykola Davydiuk, Director of FactorBureau.com, blogger
Moderator:Andriy Kulykov, Chair of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics

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?
Speakers:● Anastasiia Bakulina, "Svidomi"● Daryna Zarzhytska, Director of Sebto Media and host of the podcast Morning Doppio● Alina Sheremeta, Editor and journalist Toronto Television● Anhelina Lomakina, Social Media Producer at Ukrainian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty● Yelyzaveta Zaremba, Head of communications NGO "Zminotvortsi"
Moderator:Olena Vysokolian, Editor of teen content Suspilne

A joint study by the research company "Active-Group" and the Cluster of Relocated Media DII Ukraine
Speaker:● Oleksandr Poznii, director of the Research Company
Moderator:Anna Murlykina, project coordinator of the "Relocated Media Cluster," editor of the Mariupol website 0629.com.ua

The list of participants will be specified.