Ukraine: Press freedom requires parliamentary safeguards

This committee plays a vital role in safeguarding freedom of expression and media freedom in Ukraine. Its dissolution would represent a significant setback to democratic oversight and the institutional protection of free expression.

Despite the extraordinary pressures of war, Ukraine has maintained a largely pluralistic media landscape. However, this environment remains under severe threat. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, at least 833 documented crimes have been committed by Russian forces against journalists and media outlets in Ukraine, according to local watchdogs such as the Institute of Mass Information (IMI).

“In this context, Ukraine must reinforce – not weaken – its internal protections for journalists. The potential elimination of the parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing freedom of speech would remove a crucial mechanism of accountability at a time when media professionals are operating under unprecedented risk and at the time of the crucial media reform as part of the EU accession,” says Kyiv-based IMS adviser and policy expert, Roman Kifliuk.

Whilst the Committee has faced criticism for limited activity – exacerbated by staffing shortages and the departure of a member – it has nonetheless produced important legislative proposals. Notably, Draft Law No. 11321, recently adopted in its first reading, would improve media and public access to parliamentary proceedings, thereby strengthening transparency.

IMS warns that dissolving the Freedom of Speech Committee could lead to a dangerous erosion of parliamentary oversight on issues of press freedom and journalist safety. “Without institutional advocates within the Verkhovna Rada, legal protections may erode, censorship risks could grow and independent journalism may become more vulnerable to political or military pressure,” says Kifliuk.

IMS calls on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to:

Ensure the continued existence and full functioning of the Freedom of Speech Committee.

• Reinforce the committee with additional staffing and resources to meet wartime challenges and the EU accession demands.
• Engage actively with media development organisations to strengthen the committee’s work through technical assistance and expert input. IMS and its partners in Ukraine stand ready to provide such support.
• Publicly affirm Ukraine’s commitment to upholding freedom of expression and media freedom part of its democratic path toward EU integration.

At a time when the eyes of the world are on Ukraine, defending press freedom is not just a domestic imperative – it is a message to allies and adversaries alike that Ukraine remains committed to the democratic values for which it is fighting.