On October 9th, the 10th Donbas Media Forum commenced in Kyiv, marking the largest media event in Ukraine. The forum's agenda includes three days of discussions, debates, and networking, continuing until October 11th. 

Organized by the public organization DII-Ukraine in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the forum is supported by a wide range of national and international partners.

This year's theme is «Freedom of Speech vs. Freedom of Lies». The focus is on how Ukrainian media tackle global challenges, uphold democratic values, and serve as a beacon for society amid war and information turmoil.

The forum was opened by Olha Herasymiuk, Chair of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting, who stated: «Ten years ago, the occupiers entered our lands in Donetsk and Luhansk, leading to the closure of numerous magazines and newspapers. Television and radio broadcasting ceased, and many websites were shut down. The enemy imposed censorship, resulting in the information isolation of people: Ukrainians caught in difficult circumstances. Over these ten years, the world has been engulfed in flames of major wars, including digital ones. The idea of dialogue among journalists, introduced a decade ago, is meant to stand against the enemy».

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

In turn, Liubov Rakovytia, head of the NGO DII-Ukraine and the organizing committee of the Donbas Media Forum, emphasized the importance of freedom of speech under current conditions: «When we first gathered in 2015, we spoke about the survival of journalism. Today we discuss the survival of truth itself. The war has changed everything, but it has not changed our duty — to speak honestly, think critically, and uphold the dignity of words. This year, we registered over 1000 participants. And this is not just a number. It is proof that Ukrainian media are alive. Journalism holds the country together. And freedom of speech is not just a slogan, but the daily work of each of us».