Activity Details (ID# 6907)

Activity Synopsis

The general objectives of the seminar were to provide journalists and editors from the print media of Ukraine with practical training on the coverage of elections in accordance with the CoE standards (Recommandation No. R (99) 15 on measures concerning media coverage of election campaigns) in the perspective of the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in March 2006. 

Mr Anatoliy Murachovskiy, First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, opened the seminar. In his opening remarks, Mr Murachovskiy briefly explained the development of legislation regarding freedom of information in Ukraine. From the beginning the idea has been to adjust to standards already being developed in Western Europe. Because of several reasons it has been a difficult and sometimes slow process, but the new government wants to speed up the process again. He also referred to the general position of journalism in Ukraine, the tasks and responsibilities of journalists as well as their rights and protection.

The first part of the programme was a presentation on the basic principles of covering elections. This was followed by a presentation of subjects journalists have to pay attention to during elections in the period before the official campaign commences. The participants explained that during the official campaign period Ukrainian legislation limits journalists in expressing opinions and giving comments.

During the seminar the participants were asked to come up with new and creative ideas to cover elections in a fair, objective and attractive manner. Some of them could not see many opportunities because of the legislation; others turned out to be more creative. The various presentations resulted in a long but very useful and interesting discussion between the participants themselves about how useful this type of legislation is and what ways can be found to avoid it. Afterwards the trainers presented their opinion on these matters and informed participants about the way this is dealt with in the countries of Western Europe.

Another topic was organising political debates during the elections period in an attractive format to readers of newspapers and magazines.

Special attention was paid to the influence that government bodies, political parties, individual politicians and other interest groups in Ukraine have on the covering of elections. In Western Europe the ownership of the mass media is in the hands of commercial companies. In Ukraine there still are a lot of direct and indirect ties with political movements. Also the way to avoid to be part in a campaign of ‘Black PR’ received much attention. Another point of discussion was how to deal with opinion polls. Trainers and participants also shared their ideas on how to involve the readership in the coverage of the elections.
 

The general conclusion was that the seminar was useful for the participants. They were concerned about the provision of the Law on the Elections of People’s Deputies (adopted in July 2005) which introduces the possibility on suspending the activities of media outlets, including without a prior court decision, which can be highly susceptible to abuse. The participants suggested to hold joint seminars with lawyers. 

Journalists and editors from print media from Kyiv and Ukrainian regions 

Mr David van der HOUWEN, Director of Streamline Communications, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Mr Gie Meeuwis, journalism trainer, Brussels, Belgium
 

Mr Olexander Pavlichenko, Director of the Information Office of the Council of Europe in Kyiv, Co-ordinator of the Action Plan for the media in Ukraine
Ms Lejla Dervisagic, Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights