On 17-19 June in Strasbourg, the 29th meeting of the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) is taking place. This platform brings together representatives of the Council of Europe member states to discuss the challenges currently shaping the development of media and the digital environment in Europe.
At the centre of this year’s meeting are the safety of journalists, countering disinformation, the protection of human rights in the digital space, freedom of expression, and the development of modern European media standards. In Strasbourg, discussions also focus on rules that will shape the future of the media market in the digital age. These include new Council of Europe recommendations on safeguarding media pluralism in the online environment and the role of regulators in a world where large digital platforms and algorithmic content‑distribution systems increasingly influence access to information. Ukraine is represented at the meeting by Vladyslav Verbylo, Assistant-Consultant to the Chair of the National Council.
During the discussion dedicated to freedom of expression, he informed participants about the realities in which the Ukrainian media sector has been operating for more than ten years. Russian aggression continues to claim the lives of journalists, destroy editorial offices and media infrastructure, while documenting crimes against the media remains one of the important areas of work for the state and the media regulator.
Even in wartime conditions, Ukraine continues to adapt its media legislation to European standards. In recent months, significant attention has been devoted to introducing anti‑SLAPP mechanisms designed to protect journalists and public figures from unfounded legal harassment. At the beginning of June, Ukraine joined the preparation of a Council of Europe review on national practices in the field of defamation and countering SLAPP lawsuits, presenting information on existing legislation, judicial practice, and planned legislative changes. In parallel, work is underway on a comprehensive package of anti‑SLAPP legislation aimed at establishing procedural safeguards for the protection of individuals engaged in public life – above all journalists, media workers, human rights defenders, and civic activists. It is expected that by the end of the year Ukraine will have developed a comprehensive legislative framework in this area.
The discussion also addressed support for journalists working under wartime conditions. In particular, the UNESCO project “Resilience and Wellbeing of Ukrainian Media Professionals at Wartime” helps to strengthen the physical safety, psychological resilience, and professional capacity of media workers. This work is complemented by measures within the Council of Europe’s сampaign “Journalists Matter”, in which Ukraine is also participating. Priorities include developing mechanisms to protect journalists, documenting crimes against the media, and fostering cooperation among state authorities, law‑enforcement bodies, and the professional community, as well as countering digital threats, supporting journalists working in high‑risk areas, and enhancing their professional and psychological resilience.
Despite unprecedented challenges, Ukraine has managed to maintain a balance between the needs of information security and the protection of freedom of speech. This is also reflected in international assessments: in 2026, the country rose by seven positions in the World Press Freedom Index – from 62nd to 55th place.
Participation in the work of the CDMSI gives Ukraine the opportunity to convey information about the situation in the Ukrainian media sector to European partners, as well as to take part in shaping decisions that will determine the development of Europe’s media space in the coming years.
