The Role of Media in Times of War and Technological Transformations: Recommendations for Ethical and Responsible Journalism

This document contains summary of in-depth discussions between journalists and media experts on professional dilemmas they face in times of war and also due to the rapid technological transformation in a digital era. These ideas were gathered at a series of three seminars ‘Media and Reality: Dimensions of Responsibility’, held by The Aspen Institute Kyiv in 2023–2024 in partnership of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine. The events were based on the Aspen Institute’s methodology of dialogue with joint reading and discussion of classical and contemporary texts by renown thinkers, group work and creative assignments. Such approach allows to create a space for professional review of challenges and exchange of ideas, enabling participants to look for own answers to complex ethical dilemmas.

The participants of the seminars worked on a wide range of topics: from the ethics of the wartime journalism to countering information manipulation, development of media literacy and adapting the media to the impact of new technologies. In addition, the discussions actively raised the issues of media self-regulation, preserving the public function of journalism and the tension between freedom of speech and security in times of war. At the end of the workshops, a survey was also conducted to better identify key challenges and develop recommendations for overcoming them.

The conclusions presented here are the result of a search for common ground and a generalised summary of the reflections expressed, rather than a reflection of the position of each participant individually. Likewise, these recommendations do not represent the official position of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine or The Aspen Institute Kyiv.