Program
Day #1
October 18


Program

We invite you to view the DMF 2024 program.Some topics, descriptions, and speakers are being clarified, the program will be updated

  • 09:00-10:00

    • Registration and welcome coffee

      Registration of participants takes some time, please come early to avoid missing the opening of the Forum

  • 10:00-10:30

    • Opening of DMF 2024, welcome speech

      The list of participants is being finalized and will be announced soon

  • 10:30-11:45

    • Ukrainian Media: Between Censorship and Self-Censorship

      Recently, the Ukrainian media environment has been increasingly confronted with phenomena that can be perceived as manifestations of censorship. In addition, during the war, many journalists have their own set of topics or phenomena that should not be discussed. The formation of this list is influenced not only by the understanding of military threats, but also by the threat of hate on social media. Therefore, a significant number of Ukrainian media professionals are forced to work in conditions of deep self-censorship. This makes it possible for more formal restrictions to appear, which may have signs of censorship.

      What has a greater impact on Ukrainian journalism: formal censorship or informal and very vague self-restrictions? What has a greater impact on freedom of speech: restrictions and pressures from the authorities and media founders or pressure from a society that is not ready to hear things that are unpleasant?

    • Masterclass by 2402 Foundation: How Media Professionals Can Counter Online Harassment

      This session will provide strategies and tools for journalists to protect themselves from online harassment, abuse, and violence, offering practical steps to create a safer online working environment.

  • 11:50-12:40

    • European integration of Moldova and Ukraine: Common Challenges and the Role of the Media

      Is there enough attention to this process in the EU regarding Moldova and Ukraine? The countries share many similarities, including common challenges: occupied territories and strong anti-European propaganda spread by pro-Russian and Russian sources. How can media consumption and resilience to propaganda influence the European integration of both countries? We’ll explore shared lessons and plan our own path to Europe.

    • The power of equality: how gender equality policy is changing Ukrainian media / workshop by NGO “Women in Media” with the support of International Media Support (IMS)

      The Power of Equality workshop will reveal how the implementation of gender equality policy changes the content and editorial culture of Ukrainian media. Representatives of Espresso TV channel and Public Broadcasting will share their experience of integrating a gender approach into journalism, discuss challenges and achievements along the way. 

    • Masterclass: How to Effectively Collaborate with Military and State Administration Press Services

      How media professionals can establish effective communication with press officers of military units and regional military administrations. What are the “red flags” in working with these partners and what is needed for quality cooperation. 

    • Monetization for the media: case studies from Ukrainian newsrooms (with the support of Voices of Ukraine)

      How can Ukrainian media make money during the war? What approaches exist in the world and in the national media market? Which of these can work for regional media? When discussing monetization options from Ukrainian newsrooms, we propose to look at various case studies, from subscriber clubs to paywalls, to better understand their mechanics and understand the prospects for the development of certain approaches.

  • 12:40-13:55

    • Does Russian Propaganda and Disinformation Have Geographic Limits? 

      This discussion will focus on Russian propaganda and its disinformation networks, which are also relevant for Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, Georgia, Moldova, and others. Does debunking disinformation about the war in Ukraine help counter propaganda in these countries? What shared lessons and solutions can we take, and can international partnerships strengthen our positions against propaganda?

    • The topic is being specified

      To be added.

    • Behind the scenes of media management: personal challenges of a manager (in partnership with Jnomics) 

      Behind the team's achievements in key metrics is a leader who has overcome many challenges that often go unrecognized. During the discussion, four regional media executives will talk about: the balance between strategic plans and daily operations; the most difficult decisions they had to make for the organization's success; tools for managing teams in crisis; psychological resilience of a leader; personal failures that have brought useful experience.

  • 14:15-15:35

    • From Media Traffic to Media Impact: How Regional Media Can Reassess Their Role and Goals (supported by Voices of Ukraine)

      On the one hand, societal change is becoming a top priority for journalists worldwide. However, media outlets tend to focus on metrics and quantitative measures of their influence, while qualitative changes require more human resources, funding, and choosing the right formats and new approaches in media management. Success stories, impacts, influence on audiences, and stakeholders at various levels, including influence on the government to make decisions in the public interest, should be must-haves for quality regional media. What conflicts arise in the traffic vs. impact dichotomy? How can media create content that is both popular and generates views, while also making a real impact? Can regional media compete with national outlets in this regard: what are the challenges and advantages?

    • What and how to write about prisoners of war? Legal and ethical aspects (in partnership with the NSJU)

      Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, 3,500 Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity. The exact number of civilians and soldiers still being held by Russia is unknown: official sources give different figures, but it is in the tens of thousands. Among them are at least 30 journalists. The topic of prisoners is sensitive for society and difficult for media professionals. During the workshop, participants will learn what terminology should be used, what is the difference between Ukrainian law and international law, and what sources of information to use when preparing materials. We will also pay attention to the ethical principles of covering this complex topic. Is it always necessary to obtain consent to disseminate information about prisoners? What details can be harmful? How to conduct interviews with those who have been released from captivity? How to talk to family and friends? 

    • Why Are Regional Media Lacking Personnel and Where to Find Them?  

      The labor market in May resembled a deserted wasteland: the number of jobseekers is rapidly declining, while employers are offering more and more vacancies,” say the analysts on the job search portal Work.ua, describing the labor situation in Ukraine. The media sector is no exception. Additionally, there is a certain disparity depending on the proximity to the frontline — the closer a regional or local newsroom is to the front, the lower the chances of finding qualified employees. For frontline cities like Kramatorsk, Kherson, Nikopol, or even Kharkiv, newsrooms by default search for a war correspondent, or at least someone who can cover the aftermath of missile strikes and work under extreme conditions. At the same time, there is also a professional disparity—finding a good editor is not that difficult, but finding an investigative journalist or an experienced media manager is a much harder task. What solutions to the crisis do media professionals see? Are there already established algorithms for finding or “growing” new talent? How do regional journalists feel about the “poaching” of the most talented ones to the center? And where can newsrooms find the funds and strategies not only to attract but also to retain top local professionals?

    • How Ukrainian Media are Shaping Reconstruction: Experience of the “Recovery Window” Network 

      A presentation on how a network of over 90 media outlets, NGOs, and analytical centers have joined forces to cover Ukraine’s recovery efforts. Topics include the diverse aspects of recovery, such as education, ecology, rehabilitation, critical infrastructure, and the return of displaced people. 

  • 15:35-16:35

    • Lunch


  • 16:35-17:55

    • Diversity, equality and inclusion in the media as an imperative for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction process (supported by UNESCO)

      Diversity, equality and inclusion are an essential part of Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction process, ensuring social justice and equal participation for all citizens, especially for veterans, media professionals with disabilities and those affected by war. At the same time, upholding human rights standards underlines Ukraine's commitment to international commitments and European values. This is both a civic duty and a legal obligation of our society, demonstrating values of humanity and solidarity. It is also equally important for media viability to serve all its audiences, customers and users on an equal basis. How and why should regional media talk about equality for persons with disabilities and what can we do as media to make society more inclusive?

    • In search of understanding: will the media and the government be able to build a new level of relations 

      Just before the full-scale war, Ukraine went through the process of privatizing municipal newspapers. According to the Law "On Media," the status and principles of functioning of regional and municipal television companies are also set to change. But does the state really need its own media? Can the government operate without promoting its own perspective on events happening in the country or the community?

    • Artificial Intelligence for Regional Media: Helper or Threat?  

      According to a survey by the Institute of Mass Information, only 22% of Ukrainian newsrooms use artificial intelligence (AI) on a regular basis. Among the media professionals surveyed, 28% preferred human individuality, believing that it currently cannot be replaced by AI. At the same time, a quarter of respondents (25%) admitted that they lack sufficient knowledge on how to work with AI and don't possess the necessary tools. Meanwhile, 19% of media professionals expressed concerns that AI could misinform or confuse facts and concepts. During this discussion, we invite representatives from regional media to share their experiences using AI, and to honestly talk about both successes and failures with colleagues from other newsrooms.

    • Content with Meaning: How Responsible Dissemination of Information Becomes the Basis of Ukraine’s Media Literacy Strategy Until 2026 (in partnership with UNDP)  

      A practical look at how the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, in collaboration with UNDP, is putting media literacy strategies into action. 

  • 18:00-19:20

    • Coverage of the issue of prisoners of war in the media: problems and the search for solutions

      According to the Coordinating Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, from the beginning of the full-scale invasion until August 2024, 55 prisoner exchanges were conducted, during which 3,520 people returned home, of which 3,358 were military and 162 were civilians. And within 68 repatriation measures, 3,424 bodies of the dead were also returned to the Motherland. However, according to information from the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, currently more than 14,000 people are considered missing due to special circumstances. Most likely, they are illegally detained by Russia. But do the Ukrainian media talk about it enough? Is this problem highlighted in the international arena? Where to find a balance between what can be said publicly about each person in Russian captivity, so as not to harm his life and health there, and the need to systematically communicate with his family and society, adding confidence and faith that the state of Ukraine must necessarily exchange each of its citizens? How do official bodies inform society about prisoners of war? How can families of prisoners interact with Ukrainian and international media? Are there editorial standards for working with the topic of prisoners of war? What are the problems in organizing communication between families of prisoners and the media? What can we offer as a responsible society? By gathering representatives of the authorities, specialized public associations and media persons on one platform for a wide discussion, we offer not only to discuss the existing problems, but also to look for common solutions. We hope that on the basis of the proposed ideas, we will be able to collect relevant recommendations for all involved parties regarding the effective coverage of the issue of prisoners of war in the media.

    • Foreign language broadcasting. Who tells the world about Ukraine?

      This panel discusses Ukraine's international broadcasting efforts. Who is shaping the global narrative about Ukraine? What media outlets are publishing about Ukraine abroad, and how are these stories perceived?

    • What Has the Media Law Brought to the Industry? 

      The implementation of the Law “On Media” continues. How actively are different types of media registering? Why are some media outlets not planning to register? How is co-regulation and self-regulation progressing? What bugs have already been found, and how are they being fixed? What shortcomings have been identified, and are there already plans for any changes?

    • AI vs. manipulation: Emotional swing of Ukrainian Telegram (supported by NDI)

      Texty.org.ua analyzed 100 Ukrainian Telegram channels for manipulation using its own artificial intelligence model. How does manipulation in Telegram affect the objectivity of journalism and what can we do to counteract it? We invite you to a professional discussion on the results of the study and ways to combat manipulation in the media.