10th Anniversary of Donbas Media Forum Kicks Off in Kyiv
On October 9, the 10th anniversary of the Donbas Media Forum began in Kyiv, marking the largest media event in Ukraine. The forum's schedule includes three days of discussions, debates, and professional meetings. The event will run until October 11.
The organizers of the Donbas Media Forum are the public organization DII-Ukraine in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, supported by a wide range of Ukrainian and international partners.
This year's theme is «Freedom of Speech vs. Freedom of Lies». The focus is on how Ukrainian media tackle global challenges, uphold democratic values, and remain a guiding light for society amid war and information turmoil.
The forum was inaugurated by Olha Herasymyuk, head of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, who stated: «Ten years ago, the occupier invaded our lands in Donetsk and Luhansk, leading to the shutdown of numerous magazines and newspapers. Television and radio broadcasts ceased; websites were closed. The enemy imposed censorship, resulting in the information isolation of people, particularly Ukrainians in difficult circumstances. Over these ten years, the world has plunged into the flames of great wars, including digital wars. The idea of dialogue among journalists, introduced ten years ago, must stand against the enemy».
Kateryna Maternova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, also addressed the forum participants: «Truth is the most valuable weapon. We feel this most acutely during this horrific war waged by Russia against Ukraine. Russia is waging war not only on the front lines but also in the information space».
Meanwhile, Liubov Rakovytsia, head of the DII-Ukraine NGO and the organizing committee of the Donbas Media Forum, emphasized the importance of freedom of speech in today’s conditions: «When we first gathered in 2015, we spoke about the survival of journalism. Today, it's about the survival of truth itself. The war has changed everything, but it hasn’t changed our duty to speak honestly, think critically, and uphold the dignity of words. This year, we registered over 1000 participants. And this is not just a number. It’s proof that Ukrainian media are alive. Journalism sustains the country. And freedom of speech is not just a slogan, but the daily work of each one of us».
