On 26 February, in Rome (Italy), the Chair of the National Council, Olga Herasymyuk, met with representatives of media regulators from Italy, France, Germany and Greece as part of the Twinning project. The kick-off meeting of the project was convened at the Italian media regulator (AGCOM). The initiative aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Council and introduce best European practices in the field of media regulation.
In the current era of digital challenges and rapid technological development, cooperation between media regulators is of particular importance, as it requires coordinated decisions and joint strategies.
The launched project is an important step towards Ukraine’s integration into the European media space. The participants discussed cooperation within the Twinning project, which brings together European regulators to improve the effectiveness of media governance in Ukraine. Its main objectives are to adapt Ukrainian standards to European ones, combat disinformation and develop media literacy.
‘This project offers a unique opportunity to strengthen cooperation between our countries, supporting Ukraine on its path towards harmonisation with European standards and, in the future, towards EU accession. We firmly believe that collaboration between regulators is essential for overcoming shared challenges and ensuring an open and high-quality information environment for all European citizens. This initiative once again demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the European partners to international cooperation and to developing a balanced, democratic media environment,’ said AGCOM President Giacomo Lasorella.
Olha Herasymyuk emphasised the importance of the Twinning project for Ukraine. ‘This project opens up a unique space for professional exchange, implementation of European standards and modernisation of media regulation. We are collaborating with leading European institutions, which will not only deepen our knowledge but also strengthen the legal and administrative mechanisms of the National Council,’ said the Chairwoman of the National Council.
During her speech, the Chairwoman of the regulator emphasised the importance of the media reforms Ukraine is implementing as it moves towards adopting European standards. One of the key steps was the adoption of the new Media Law, which aligns Ukrainian legislation with EU standards. This forms part of Ukraine’s commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU, as well as being one of the seven requirements set out by the European Commission for confirming its candidate status. The law is based on the requirements of the revised EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the standards of the Council of Europe.
Even in wartime, it is crucial for Ukraine to uphold freedom of speech as a fundamental element of democracy. With the exception of certain restrictions designed to protect citizens and military facilities, no censorship rules have been introduced. In this way, Ukraine strives to maintain a balance between freedom of expression and national security.
The ongoing efforts to combat disinformation and Russian propaganda represent a substantial challenge. As our country is not yet an EU member, it cannot benefit from the Digital Services Act (DSA)’s legal mechanisms, which regulate the activities of the largest online platforms. However, it is actively studying new European legislation to ensure its laws reflect the latest European decisions. To ensure this transposition is carried out properly, we are working closely with European regulators to find effective solutions.
In the current context of countering disinformation, the National Council systematically monitors and records Russian propaganda messages, forwarding the materials to law enforcement agencies. Alongside other state bodies, the Ukrainian media regulator produces and shares English-language videos on social media that expose Russian misinformation and aggression, including that targeting European countries and the United States.
The project leaders from both sides — Yevhen Perelygin from the Ukrainian media regulator and Francesco Sciacchitano from the EU — summarised the agreements reached during the meeting. Following the proposals made by the Ukrainian side on topics of importance, a work plan will be drawn up to implement the key areas of further work within the project. The parties also identified prospects for further deepening cooperation.
In closing the meeting, Olha Herasymyuk emphasised the importance of international partnerships:
‘It is vital that we use this opportunity as effectively as possible to establish a competitive, free and resilient media space.’