Exchange of views on the war against Ukraine

04-08-2022 - 16:30
the flag of Ukraine and Russia in the background. in the foreground woman with taped mouth.
media freedom © Image used under the license of Adobe Stock

CULT committee, in association with LIBE and ING2, discussed media freedom, protection of journalist and fight against disinformation in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin's war on Ukraine is also a war on information. Three months on after the brutal invasion of Ukraine, Russian armed forces, deliberately target and kill journalists and bomb broadcasting equipment. In parallel, Russians are left with no access to sources of independent information covering the events in Ukraine with a recently adopted law punishing anyone spreading "false information" on the war against Ukraine with up to 15 years in prison. Against this backdrop, the exchange of views evaluated the situation and brought testimonies but also focused on ways to support and protect independent journalism as a prerequisite and a central pillar of freedom of expression and the fight against fake news and disinformation and - ultimately, but most importantly - of democracy and rule of law.