Національна академія внутрішніх справ

2-day international seminar was launched in NAIA on April 3rd - «Protecting journalists and ensuring freedom of speech in Ukraine: prevention of impunity». This event is opening the series of thematic seminars and workshops on mass media rights protection for journalists, law enforcement staff and judges.

The event was opened by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Valerii Kondratiuk, Rector of NAIA Volodymyr Cherniei, Head of Council of Europe Office in Ukraine Mårten Ehnberg, Deputy Chief of NPU Oleksandr Vakulenko, Deputy Rector of National Prosecution Academy Yurii Sevruk and Executive Director of NGO «Institute of Mass Information» Oksana Romaniuk.

The key aim was to raise the awareness of law enforcement and judicial staff of the latest amendments to criminal legislation and improve their expertise in the area of journalists’ protection in Ukraine. Representatives of mass media had an opportunity to discuss the mechanisms of communication enhancement and PR-strategies’ development.

Deputy Rector Serhii Cherniavskyi mentioned that «Ukrainian law enfoecement is grateful for the trust and support provided by European colleagues along with huge responsibility – cooperation with mass media has already become one of important elements of training curricula and Academy is always ready to empower its student with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their performance as police officers in operating environment.

Journalists took active part in discussion paying special attention to evaluation of mass media security conditions and freedom of speech in Ukraine – Oksana Romaniuk presented clear and comprehensive statistical data mentioning cases of homicide, kidnapping, assaults, intimidation, power abuse and limitation of data access.

Аnalogous seminars are planned to be held in other regions of Ukraine during 2017.