MERIT Forum 2026: Who are this year’s voices of Ukraine?

The MERIT Forum (Media, Exchange, Regulation, Integration, Transparency) is a platform designed to enhance professional exchange on media policy, regulation, European integration and democratic safeguards. The initiative connects Ukrainian media professionals with experts from Denmark, EU institutions (particularly Brussels) and international partners, creating a shared space for advancing media resilience and promoting human rights‑based approaches to media governance.

A special focus of the 2026 programme is dedicated to media regulation, self‑regulation and the practical implementation of key EU regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), audiovisual regulation and broader efforts to strengthen information integrity and platform accountability.

Participants of this year’s cohort were selected based on their professional background, their contributions to media policy or media practice in Ukraine and their articulated motivation to strengthen democratic information systems. The MERIT Forum is an ongoing programme, with the current cohort having begun work in January 2026. The group represents:

• Media professionals, newsroom leaders and editors.
• Representatives of regulatory bodies and government institutions.
• Civil society and NGO leaders advancing media freedom.
• Legal and policy experts in media regulation and digital rights.
• Academia and research professionals working on media, democracy and information security.

The MERIT 2026 group is:

Ruslana Brianska
Executive Director, Hromadske Radio

Ruslana Brianska is the Executive Director of Hromadske Radio, one of Ukraine’s first independent media outlets. She oversees strategic development, organisational management and sustainability efforts. With more than 12 years of experience as a journalist, editor and radio host, she specialises in editorial management, public interest journalism, audience engagement and media innovation – particularly relevant during a period of increasing pressure on Ukraine’s independent media.  

“My motivation for joining the MERIT Forum is to strengthen the resilience of independent media at a difficult time for Ukraine. I am particularly interested in European strategies for sustainable funding models, audience growth and digital transformation. The exchange visits to Brussels and Copenhagen will provide practical insights into how European media diversify revenue streams, build trust and integrate innovation. I also value the opportunity to form long‑term professional connections and exchange experiences with peers.”

Andriy Kulakov
Programme Director, Internews Ukraine

A leading Ukrainian media and civil society expert, Andriy Kulakov has extensive experience in media management, strategic communications and project implementation for the European Commission, USAID, the World Bank, UN agencies, NATO and others. He is also an OSCE and Council of Europe expert in Ukraine, co‑author of numerous media manuals, and creator of high‑impact communication and media literacy programmes. His work includes curriculum development for the Aspen Institute Kyiv and OSCE’s “Media and Reality” programme, as well as the youth education initiative Next Visionaries, supported by ERSTE Foundation.

 “Participating in the MERIT Forum 2026 offers a unique platform for high‑level exchange and peer learning. I hope to contribute meaningfully to discussions on media transformation, cross‑border collaboration and combatting disinformation – while sharing insights from Ukraine’s own experience navigating information warfare. I believe the Forum’s interdisciplinary environment will strengthen my ability to design forward‑looking strategies and support media resilience at national and regional levels.”

Liza Kuzmenko
Gender and Media Expert; Founder, Women in Media NGO

With over 15 years of experience in journalism, human rights and gender equality, Liza Kuzmenko leads the Women in Media NGO, known for its impactful work at the intersection of media and DEI. She collaborates with UN agencies, OSCE, the Council of Europe, IMS, IWPR and Thomson Reuters Foundation as a consultant and trainer. Since 2020, she has served on the Commission on Journalistic Ethics (Press Council). She is also part of the negotiation group for EU acquis Chapter 10 (Digital Transformation and Media), contributing to Ukraine’s EU accession process.

“I aim to deepen my practical understanding of EU media regulation, especially regarding technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV) and platform accountability. I am particularly interested in how frameworks like the DSA can protect women journalists and other vulnerable groups from online violence while safeguarding freedom of expression. MERIT is an ideal space to adapt EU practices to the Ukrainian context.”

Oleksandr Obodovych
Head, Department for Media, European and Euro‑Atlantic Integration, State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine

Oleksandr Obodovych is a seasoned media policy expert with more than 15 years of experience in media analytics, strategic communications and public policy. Since 2017, he has led national media policy coordination, Euro‑integration initiatives and adaptation of EU standards into Ukrainian legislation. His professional background includes cooperation with OSCE, Council of Europe, SIDA, IMS, JICA and support for the Public Broadcaster of Ukraine.

“The MERIT Forum is not just a platform for dialogue – it is a catalyst for transformation. I hope to adapt European experience and best practices into national policies that strengthen democracy, improve access to information and reinforce resilience against disinformation and hybrid threats.”

Oleksiy Tretyakov‑Grodzevych
Senior Lecturer, National University of Kyiv‑Mohyla Academy; Project Manager, CEDEM

Oleksiy Tretyakov‑Grodzevych specialises in public strategic planning, strategic communications and information policy. His experience spans drafting and implementing national strategies, including Ukraine’s Information Security Strategy and the roadmap for ensuring a pluralistic media environment. He also contributes expert support to civil service reform efforts and leads media and public administration projects at CEDEM.

“Independent media are a cornerstone of resilient democracies. MERIT offers a unique opportunity to deepen my knowledge of European regulatory models and the tools that support democratic information ecosystems. Applying these insights to Ukraine will help strengthen trust in the media and harmonise national legislation with EU best practices.”

Anayit Khoperiya
Deputy Head, Center for Countering Disinformation, National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine

Anayit Khoperiya works on developing state responses to foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), interagency coordination and cooperation with EU and transatlantic partners. With a master’s and PhD in law, her expertise covers information security, legal frameworks for combatting disinformation and aligning institutional approaches with EU standards.

“I seek to deepen my understanding of EU approaches to media resilience, regulatory frameworks and countering foreign information manipulation. The exchanges in Brussels and Copenhagen will be instrumental as Ukraine continues aligning its policies with EU standards on its European integration path.”

Vita Volodovska
Head, Digital Security Lab Ukraine

A leading media lawyer and digital rights expert, Vita Volodovska heads the Digital Security Lab Ukraine, supporting high‑risk media and human rights organisations. She is co‑author of the 2022 Law on Media and is deeply involved in implementing EMFA, the Anti‑SLAPP Directive and regulation of online platforms. Since 2013, she has provided legal expertise in strategic litigation and digital rights, including cases before the European Court of Human Rights.

“MERIT aligns strongly with Ukraine’s media and digital reforms. I look forward to engaging with EU policymakers, understanding the latest regulatory developments and ensuring that Ukraine’s integration efforts are rooted in European best practices while reflecting our national challenges.”

Oleh Dereniuha
Media Manager, Journalist, Co‑founder of NikVesti (Mykolaiv)

Oleh Dereniuha is an experienced editor, newsroom manager and co‑founder of NikVesti, a regional independent outlet in Mykolaiv. After the full‑scale invasion, he led the outlet’s relaunch, rebuilding it under wartime pressure. His work focuses on editorial strategy, accountability journalism, community engagement and developing membership‑based sustainability models.

“My organisation faces the same challenges as many Ukrainian regional media. I want to learn how EU systems ensure long‑term sustainability through compensation schemes, public support mechanisms and regulatory safeguards. MERIT is a space for strategic reflection – I hope to translate European experience into realistic models for Ukrainian regional media.”

Lidiya Smola
Professor, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute; Head of Analytical and Sociological Research, People First Foundation

A leading scholar in political science, psychology, information security and civil society development, Lidiya Smola holds a PhD in history and a doctorate in political sciences. She is the author of over 70 publications and several monographs on propaganda and political processes. She has contributed to national information‑security doctrine and received the 2024 Ivan Franko Award and a letter of appreciation from the Commander‑in‑Chief for contributions to information resilience.

“My research on propaganda narratives, cognitive warfare and value‑based communication aligns closely with MERIT’s goals. Learning from EU regulatory frameworks, such as the DSA and EMFA, will enrich my ongoing work and support Ukraine’s efforts to counter FIMI threats while safeguarding freedom of expression.”

The MERIT Forum is a component of IMS’s Eastern Partnership programme REACH: Media Partnerships for Accountability and Trust, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. REACH contributes to building a more democratic, inclusive and resilient information environment. Through the MERIT Forum, IMS facilitates capacity sharing and professional exchange on media laws, policies and practices aligned with EU legislation, grounded in international standards and guided by a strong focus on a human rights‑based approach (HRBA) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

More information on other IMS programmes and projects in Ukraine: 

• Merit Forum 2025
• MERIT Forum exchange on media resilience
• Seven lessons learned for media resilience during long‑term war

We invite you to learn more about journalism in Ukraine in the news article on the emotional state of media professionals, as well as in the news piece on investigative journalism.   

Read also about the global challenges of journalism in the key points shared by Jesper Højberg, Executive Director of IMS.