By Antonina Cherevko, International Media Support, Ukraine

Media lawyers from Ukraine, Moldova, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation gathered in Kyiv in July at the IMS-supported International Media Law Summer School to learn about international media law standards and to exchange views on the media situation in their respective countries.

Studying the regulation of media

The summer school participants focused on the legal regulation of television and radio broadcasting, protection of privacy and freedom of expression, access to information, defamation, Internet regulation, as well as the moral considerations tied to limiting freedom of speech. The programme also included study of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

The agenda included lectures, discussions and small workshops as well as a moot court competition during which participants used their new knowledge and practical skills to present their arguments in case-examples.

Cross-cultural discussions on media law and ethics

the International Media Law Summer School not only creates a unique opportunity for the CIS media lawyers to learn about international media law standards and latest trends in the field, but also serves as a platform for cross-cultural discussion and experience exchange. Students talked about the media situation in their countries and topics such as ethical standards, codification of media legislation and fighting publication of paid materials in media.

This year Summer School included lecturers and experts from leading national and international institutions active in the media freedom and media development field such as: European Court of Human Rights, ARTICLE 19, Media Legal Defence Initiative, International Media Support, Institute for the Problems of Information Law, Ukraine Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, USAID and MCC joint Project “Ukraine: Rule of Law”.