European Commission Report 2025: Assessment of Ukraine’s Progress in the Media Sphere

The European Commission has published its annual report on Ukraine’s European integration. Part of the report is traditionally devoted to the media sphere, freedom of speech, and the activities of the media regulator. The European Commission positively notes Ukraine’s achievements, while indicating areas that require further development, and informs the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting.

The document states that Ukrainian legislation provides appropriate guarantees for freedom of expression. At the same time, it emphasizes the need to strengthen the protection of journalists and create stable working conditions for them. In particular, the European Commission calls for an effective investigation of cases involving the persecution of journalists and the adoption of legislation against the abuse of legal claims (SLAPP).

The working group for the development of regulatory acts in this area, which includes a representative of the National Council, has been working under the auspices of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech since June of this year. Their adoption and implementation will enable significant steps towards European integration, including the implementation of the Anti-SLAPP Directive and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), and generally strengthen national legal mechanisms for the protection of journalists.

The report also emphasizes the important role of the media regulator in developing a democratic media environment, as well as its efforts to maintain a constant dialogue with the government, civil society, journalistic associations, and the media on further reforms.

Ukraine should continue to implement the media roadmap aimed at restoring a post-war, pluralistic, transparent, and independent media space.

Along with this, as in previous reports, EC experts draw attention to the problems in providing the regulator with the necessary resources for effective activities. Among the recommendations for the government in this part of the report:

• ensure stable and sufficient funding;
• improve human resources;
• abolish the requirement for state registration of the National Council’s regulatory legal acts with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

The European Commission report notes that independent media in Ukraine continue to suffer the economic impact of the war, especially at the regional level and near the front line. The sudden reduction in donor funding has worsened the situation and hit independent local editorial offices the hardest.

• “Independent editorial offices, particularly in the regions, are suffering from economic difficulties and reduced international support, and therefore need stable assistance programs,” the report says.

The European Commission positively assessed the open and competitive competition for the chairman of the board of the Public Broadcaster, which took place in April 2025.

The report also discusses bills in the media sector, the development of which are constantly being developed by experts from the National Council. Currently, the parliament is fully prepared and awaiting consideration in the second reading of bill No. 12111, which is to systematically update the Law of Ukraine “On Media” taking into account the two-year practice of its application and, among other things, strengthen the independence of the media regulator, increase the transparency of media ownership, and bring Ukrainian legislation closer to the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The report also mentions Bill 12253, which aims to update advertising legislation and is currently under discussion as amendments are prepared for consideration by the relevant committee during its second reading.

In the context of media ownership transparency, attention is drawn to some progress and the need for better disclosure of the ownership structure and ultimate beneficial owners of regional and online media.

Ukraine’s preparation in the field of digital transformation was assessed as sufficient in Brussels. Ukraine has already begun adapting its legislation to the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which is part of the process of approximation to EU norms in the field of digital services and media.

Overall, the European Commission assessed Ukraine’s level of preparation in the media sector as good and stressed the importance of further implementing reforms and measures to strengthen the independence of the regulator and develop a democratic media environment. The National Council will continue to work on implementing all tasks and recommendations necessary for further progress in Ukraine’s European integration movement.