Miklos Haraszti and Taras Petriv at the High Level Policy Meeting on Media Legislation Reform in Ukraine, 17 March 2008 (Photo: Valeriy Miloserdov).

Key national media actors in Ukraine expressed their full support for a media law reform in Ukraine, as IMS and partners launch a new four-year program

At a high-level policy meeting on media legislative reform in Ukraine held on March 17 in Kiev and hosted by the OSCE, Council of Europe and IMS, key national media actors gave strong statements of support to reforming the regulatory framework for media in Ukraine.

- This is very positive and bodes well for future activities planned within this field in Ukraine by IMS and partners, says IMS Deputy Director Thomas Hughes.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the National Commission on Freedom of Speech and Development of the Media under the Secretariat of President of Ukraine, the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, the State Committee of Ukraine on TV and Radio Broadcasting, the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information and the Ministry of Justice.

The meeting was also attended by Miklos Haraszti, OSCE representative on Freedom of the Media, as well as representatives from the Council of Europe, the EU Commission, the OSCE office in Kiev, the Danish Embassy in Kiev, the Media Law Institute as well as Article 19.

Four-year program launched 

In the past two years IMS has supported a comprehensive media policy reform program in Ukraine with financial support from Danida, which was implemented in close cooperation with the OSCE office in Ukraine. In the past six months, IMS has been reviewing this program to prepare for the coming four year period, building on the lessons learnt in close consultation with local partners and experts.

For the new program for Ukraine, IMS foresees opening a one-person office in Kiev, which will likely be located at the same premises as the Media Law Institute (MLI). Moreover, at close working relationship will be formed with MLI, Article 19 and the OSCE to ensure that the full range of knowledge and expertise be brought on board to ensure continued success during the coming program period funded by Danida.

The program will, among others, focus on access to information, public service broadcasting, denationalisation of state print media and transparency concerning the ownership structure of media corporations and entities in Ukraine.

Activities will include drafting legal texts, supporting working groups, facilitating meetings and professional training, as well as support to international exchange programs for media practitioners.

Thomas Hughes also stressed the importance of collaboration. In an interview with the Ukrainian media industry publication, Telekritika, he said:

- We welcome all initiatives and are open to cooperation with media organizations, unions and specialized NGOs working in relevant fields of excellence.  

 He also stressed that in order to have impact, it is vital that there be strong local ownership for the activities and room for flexibility to capitalize upon the opportunities that may be fostered by the reform process.