On 11 December 2015, the Media Law Institute teamed with the Reanimation Package of Reforms with a view to discuss the ongoing media reforms jointly with the heads and editors of the media outlets from 15 regions of Ukraine, brought together in Kyiv for this purpose.

MLI lawyers, Mr Taras Shevchenko, Mr Ihor Rozkladaj and Ms Vita Volodovska, with their colleagues from the Telekritika and the Institute of Mass Information – Ms Svitlana Ostapa and Mr Roman Golovenko – explained in detail principles and expected results of the expected policy and implementation changes for the media environment.

Specifically, de-statisation of the print media in Ukraine was considered; the ways to ensure a genuine transparency of media ownership in Ukraine were discussed, and preconditions for achieving integral media coverage of election, and to overcome corruption in Ukraine`s mass media. 

In addition, Mr Artem Myrgorodskyy, head of the Reanimation Package of Reforms civic initiative, shared experience of the latter in setting the reform agenda for the Ukraine`s Parliament and advocating that agenda by CSOs` effort.

The Public Service Broadcasting reform was a particular focus of today`s dialogue, as the participants of this training are directly concerned with. As stressed by Ms Olga Sedova, the national programme officer at the Swedish Embassy, approximation of Ukraine`s legislation to the EU law, introduction of the community broadcasting shall also have impact on the local media work.

The event was held by the Media Law Institute teamed with the Reanimation Package of Reforms with support of the Swedish Government.