Program
Day #2
October 19


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

  • 10:00-11:25

    • Quality Journalism in Wartime: What Should It Look Like?

      In the Ukrainian media landscape, questions of professional standards and ethical norms have, for years, been intertwined with issues of self-censorship during wartime and the challenge of providing quality information to the public. How can a modern Ukrainian journalist answer these crucial questions: Where is the line between presenting different perspectives and providing a platform for harmful narratives? How can journalists avoid becoming mere mouthpieces for specific government institutions? And who should initiate public discussions about issues within the military in a country at war?

    • Presentations of research and opportunities

      ● “Opportunities for psychological support for journalists and editorial offices from Mental Support for Media”, Andriy Sydorenko, Head of Psychological Support for Journalists at Souspilnist Foundation
      ● “Media landscape of Ukraine 2024, print media. The impact of the war”, Serhiy Chernyavsky, Media expert, media analyst

    • “Danger! Mines!” How to talk about mine safety to protect rather than harm?

      The media plays a key role in raising awareness of the dangers of explosive ordnance (EO) in Ukraine, where the process of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance can take years, if not decades. In this context, journalists face a new responsibility: how to discuss EO in a way that protects the population rather than exposing them to greater danger.
      During this session, participants will learn about the results of the research conducted in Ukraine on the behavioural patterns of the population. They will explore how the audience perceives explosive ordnance issues, assess the awareness level of safety behaviors, and identify factors driving risk-taking behaviors related to EO. Additionally, they will learn how to effectively communicate the dangers of explosive ordnance to the public.

      The session will also include an interactive component, providing participants with the opportunity to test their knowledge of mine safety and receive practical advice.

  • 11:30-12:50

    • The Influence of Social Media Giants on Ukraine's Media Landscape: Ethics and Regulation 

      Is there an equality between freedom of speech and permissiveness on social media? Our society is facing unprecedented pressure from propaganda, often channeled through social media platforms. Meanwhile, tech giants are often powerless in the fight against fake news, while bans, page blocks on Ukrainian media, and restrictions on certain content have become part of our daily lives. What could be an effective solution to this complex problem? Blocking certain social media platforms, engaging with their headquarters, boycotts from the media, or regulation? A key question is whether Ukrainian users can balance national interest during the war with the general rules of social media giants. Can the Ukrainian state, in turn, build relationships with these giants to protect national interests? This will be a major discussion on how to develop appropriate rules of engagement on various levels or recognize that self-regulation is the only way to solve the complex challenges.

    • How Regional Media Can Conduct Compelling Investigations with Limited Budgets(in partnership with Voices of Ukraine)

      Against the backdrop of strong national investigative journalism covering big topics affecting the regions, regional media face intense competition. Is it really just a lack of resources for successful investigative reporting, or is it a lack of knowledge and skills?
      This workshop is designed to help regional media journalists effectively use available human and financial resources to conduct quality investigations. During the event, specific tools and approaches will be discussed that allow you to produce interesting and informative stories even with a limited budget.

    • How to Make Regional Media Visible on a National Level and Attract Attention to Regional Issues?

      The uneven coverage of certain topics in the media space can distort perceptions, reinforce stereotypes, and polarize society. On one hand, the lack of regional correspondents for national media can result in news feeds being filled with government-issued press releases. On the other hand, hyper-local content from regional media interests national outlets. Could tool such as networking and partnering with non-traditional players help solve this issue?

    • Highly accurate and long-range: the word in war (in partnership with the Journalistic Ethics Commission)

      How does war change language, and what are the consequences for society? Can language become a weapon? We will discuss how new terms appear and what is behind the words that acquire special meaning in the context of hostilities, as well as the influence of rhetoric on the public narrative — these and other issues will be discussed with the head of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics Andriy Kulikov. 

  • 12:50-13:40

    • Lunch

      Is there an equality between freedom of speech and permissiveness on social media? Our society is facing unprecedented pressure from propaganda, often channeled through social media platforms. Meanwhile, tech giants are often powerless in the fight against fake news, while bans, page blocks on Ukrainian media, and restrictions on certain content have become part of our daily lives. What could be an effective solution to this complex problem? Blocking certain social media platforms, engaging with their headquarters, boycotts from the media, or regulation? A key question is whether Ukrainian users can balance national interest during the war with the general rules of social media giants. Can the Ukrainian state, in turn, build relationships with these giants to protect national interests? This will be a major discussion on how to develop appropriate rules of engagement on various levels or recognize that self-regulation is the only way to solve the complex challenges.

  • 13:40-15:00

    • Ukrainian Media for Occupied Territories: Reality and Prospects 

      The expectation of de-occupation a year ago has now turned into an understanding that this is a "long game," and Ukrainian media will need to maintain their audiences in the occupied territories in marathon mode rather than a sprint. Adding to this are constant blockages of Ukrainian websites, and now even the prospect of restrictions on the few social media channels that remain as a communication bridge between the Ukrainian media landscape and the audience in occupied territories. How can these challenges be overcome, and could uniting efforts help solve common problems?

    • The Language of War and Recovery – Terminology and Its Impact on Society 

      Is "recovery and reconstruction" still perceived as positive, or has it already become synonymous with corruption embedded in every program? Where does the word "inclusion" leave room for understanding the issues of accessibility for people with disabilities in our cities? How do we see the person and their story behind acronyms like "IDPs in difficult life circumstances"? What should the tone of voice be when creating content about people in occupied territories? Where is the line between words that act as markers and those that trigger negative reactions?

    • News that will become history tomorrow: The role of journalists as chroniclers and the historical mission of journalism

      The panel discussion will focus on the key role of journalists in documenting historical events. Today's news becomes tomorrow's chronicle for future generations, and journalism can influence the formation of historical memory. How do the media fulfill their historical mission while maintaining objectivity? How do stories about everyday events turn into important evidence of an era? How is the role of the media changing in the face of disinformation, polarization, information wars, and rapid technological development?

      The discussion will cover issues of commemoration, including the creation of military and civilian memorials, documentation of military and civilian deaths, and the participation of journalists in national memory campaigns. The complex issues of censorship and self-censorship that affect the work of journalists as unbiased chroniclers will be discussed. Particular attention will be paid to the occupied territories, where the issue of commemorating the dead requires a special approach and a national dialogue. The panel will address the issue of journalists' responsibility in shaping historical narratives and preserving archives.

    • Journalism of the future: how is generation Z changing the media landscape?

      Journalists who were born at the turn of the century are increasingly coming to the Ukrainian media. What can they bring to Ukrainian journalism, and how are they already changing the country's media landscape? What do they see as the journalism of the future, and what angers them the most about the “old school” journalism? 

  • 15:05-16:20

    • From sustainability to recovery, securing the future of Ukrainian mass media (in partnership with RSF)

      The Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, sparked an unprecedented economic crisis for Ukrainian media. Over 235 media outlets have been forced to shut down, with advertising revenues plummeting and operational costs rising sharply. The media sector is further strained by constant shellings, the killing of journalists, staff shortages, widespread disinformation, and political pressure. Without sustained support, some newsrooms face the risk of closure. At the same time, Ukrainian media have shown extraordinary resilience, bolstered by a solid media landscape that has been forged over recent years. And to be able to continue working and providing essential information, they need to receive long term support. A new RSF report, based on a study of 42 independent media outlets, assesses the situation and makes recommendations for supporting the recovery of Ukraine's media through the creation of an International Reconstruction Fund for Ukrainian Media (IRFUM).

    • Features of Anti-Corruption Journalism During the War: New Moral Dilemmas, Threats, and Challenges (in partnership with IPI)

      Should anti-corruption investigations be conducted during a war? Or is it better to focus on investigating Russian war crimes and avoid addressing the “elephant in the room”? On one hand, highlighting corruption in Ukraine certainly undermines the country's position in the eyes of international partners. On the other hand, the sense of impunity has triggered not only a wave of corruption but also increased pressure on journalists working in this area. What challenges are journalists currently facing in the field of anti-corruption? Most importantly, what joint solutions and actions can be effective?

    • Cultural journalism is a long way to change civil society

      Journalism, in particular cultural journalism, is one of the indicators and at the same time a tool for social change. Together with editors of cultural media, we will talk about the impact of cultural journalism on building civil society, explain why it is not about lifestyle and entertainment, and share how to develop cultural media during the war.

    • How to deliver media content to Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. Case study of the eQSat project

      During the workshop, participants will be able to find out how effective the channels of content delivery to the residents of the TOT are, what are their significant differences, and how to use them. In particular, the workshop will focus on trends in the cleansing of the information space in the TOT; alternative ways of delivering content; how the distributed cache works and why it cannot be blocked; the case of eQSat based on the Ceno browser; how Ukrainian media can get into the Ceno browser cache and become available in the TOT.

  • 16:25-17:40

    • Vision of Donetsk region: What can the region be like in 50 years?

      In the next few years, a very important task will be to develop a vision for the Donetsk region, which has suffered tremendously from the fighting and occupation. However, there is no public strategy and vision not only for the Donetsk region, but for the entire east.
      Today, Donbas has become a zero point - economically, demographically, historically. It has turned into a frontier between democracy and totalitarianism, and what will it be like in 10-20-50 years? We cannot predict the future, but the state of Ukraine must have a vision for the best, worst, and average scenarios of this future, as well as algorithms for each of them.

    • De-occupied and frontline communities: how to talk to each other. Presentation of townhouses by the Laboratory of Public Interest Journalism

      Presentation of the project of cooperation with local communities in the format of town halls by the Laboratory of Public Interest Journalism. Whether it is worth raising painful topics and how to talk about the problems of the local population, who to involve in the process, and how to summarize the results.

    • Should/can regional and local media survive in Ukraine? 

      To be added.

    • How to reach Ukrainians under occupation: tools, platforms, cases (in partnership with SEO for Media)

      To be added

  • 17:40-18:00

    • Closing of the Forum

      Запрошуємо на урочисте закриття події.