Activity Details (ID# 6914)

Activity Synopsis

The general objectives of the follow-up workshop were to continue to create a better awareness of the role and position of public information officers in a democratic society and to discuss with participants different topics as:

- the legal regulations of freedom of expression (regulations of internet editions)
- public broadcasting in European countries
- interactive Policy Making with regard to linguistic policy

The topics were based on the conclusions of the first seminar (held on 28-29 April 2005) and concrete requests from the participants sent to the trainers in advance. The trainers had composed the programme in such a way that there was much opportunity for discussions and exchange of opinions.
 

The seminar was opened by Mr Volodimir Horobtsov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine. In his opening remarks, Mr Horobtsov referred to the new legislation on freedom of expression that was still under discussion in Parliament. He indicated that the original legislation dated from 1992. He also stressed the importance of openness and transparency: the ownership of official information is not exclusively in the hands of the State, but belongs to all citizens. If information cannot be revealed for specific reasons, these must be clarified to the public. Other topics he mentioned were the rights and protection of journalists, especially for those working for radio and television.

The participants were very motivated and interested by the experts’ presentations. Most of them had also participated in the first workshop. Almost all ministries of the Ukrainian government were represented, as well as the police and the customs office.

After the introduction, the participants were asked to give their opinions about changes in their professions since the first seminar in April. The main conclusions were:

- More openness in the relations between journalists and public information officers;
- Attention for a better definition and – where necessary – division of the various tasks of people working in information departments;
- More attention for the needs of the public regarding dissemination of information;
- The Cabinet of Ministers is actively seeking new opportunities for more interactive communication with the citizens;
- More openness about misconduct by members of the police and other State organisations;
- More attention for internal communication.

Some problems however still exist:

- A lack of legislative framework for those working in the field of public information (openness and transparency), public information officers and journalists alike;
- The lack of professional ethical behaviour by some journalists;
- Complaints about the poor quality of journalism in Ukraine.

For these last two reasons the Cabinet of Ministers is working on improving relations with journalists.

The discussion also focused on a better co-ordination and co-operation by the information departments of the various ministries as well as between the ministries with their public services. The trainers presented examples of how this is organised in some other countries and stressed the importance of the professionalism of the people working in the information departments.

The programme of the second day concentrated mostly on the subject of communication strategy. The participants presented and discussed their definitions. It became clear that some of the participants still confused strategy with all kinds of concrete actions.

As the discussion was much influenced by the recent events in Kyiv (resignation of the Prime Minister and all members of the Ukrainian Government), the trainers decided to give the participants a practical assignment (based on the preposition related to the political situation).

 

In general the participants perceived an improvement in the attitude towards their roles and profession by the political authorities. There remains a lack of legislative framework for those working in the field of public information (openness and transparency), journalists and public information officers alike. It became clear that some of the participants still confused strategy with all kinds of concrete actions. While there is legislation for the traditional mass media, there is no legal framework for the presentation of news on Internet, apart from general constitutional matters. This worldwide problem is also perceived in Ukraine. Better co-ordination and co-operation between the information departments of the various ministries and their public services is needed for the improvement of public information at large in general.

It was suggested to continue with workshops and hands-on assistance in the field of legislation, ethical codes of conduct of behaviour for journalists as well as public servants. In this context, it is important to use the experience and the expertise in these fields from colleagues in the region (Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary), by organising regular meetings for peer consultations with the public information officers of the ministries and other State oganisations.
 

Public information officers from different ministries, the police and customs 

Mr David van der HOUWEN, Director of Streamline Communications, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Mr Fred GIJBELS, Director of Gijbels Communicatie and Advies, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
 

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