On October 9, the tenth anniversary of the Donbas Media Forum commenced in Kyiv, marking the largest media event in Ukraine. The forum will run for three days, ending on October 11, featuring a variety of discussions and professional meetings.

The event is organized by the NGO DII-Ukraine in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, with support from numerous Ukrainian and international partners.

This year's theme is “Freedom of Speech vs. Freedom of Lies.” The focus will be on how Ukrainian media tackle global challenges, uphold democratic values, and serve as a beacon for society amidst war and information turbulence.

The forum was opened by Olha Herasymyuk, head of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, who stated: “Ten years ago, in Donetsk and Luhansk, the occupier entered our lands, leading to the shutdown of many magazines and newspapers. Television and radio broadcasting ceased, and internet sites were closed. The enemy imposed censorship, resulting in the information isolation of people: Ukrainians in difficult circumstances. Over these ten years, the world has plunged into the flames of major wars, including digital wars. The idea of dialogue among journalists, which was initiated ten years ago, must stand against the enemy.”

Katarina Maternova, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, also addressed the forum participants: “Truth is the most valuable weapon. We feel this most during this horrific war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. Russia is waging war not only on the front lines but also in the information space, terrorizing us with nightly shelling.”

Love Rakovitsya, head of the NGO DII-Ukraine and the organizing committee of the Donbas Media Forum, emphasized the importance of freedom of speech in today’s conditions: “When we first gathered in 2015, we talked about the survival of journalism. Today, we talk about the survival of truth itself. The war has changed everything, but it has not changed our duty to speak honestly, think critically, and maintain the dignity of words. This year, we registered over 1000 participants. And this is not just a number; it proves that Ukrainian media is alive. Journalism holds the country together. And freedom of speech is not just a slogan, but the daily work of each of us.”