March 11, 2005

European Mass Media Ministers have adopted several documents as a result of the 7th European Ministerial Conference, which took place in Kyiv.

These include: Political Declaration, Action Plan on cooperation of the Council of Europe member-countries in working out mass media policy and three resolutions on the main sub-themes discussed: "Freedom of expression and information in times of crisis", "Cultural diversity and media pluralism in times of globalization", "Human rights and regulation of the media and new communication services in the Information Society".

While discussing the action plan for the next years, the Ministers have decided to set up а regular forum, allowing the government experts and mass media professionals exchange views on the rights and responsibilities of journalists. They also decided to establish a new award to encourage activity in preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting the understanding and dialogue.

During the Conference the decision to form permanent working groups on the following items was taken: freedom of expression in times of crisis, diversity of media in times of globalization, concentration and pluralism in mass media and peculiarities of saving and functioning of public broadcasting.

The press-conference on the occasion of closing of the 7th European Ministerial Conference was hosted by:

Karol Jakubowicz – Chairman of the Council of Europe Steering Committee for the Media and Communication, Director of the Department of Strategy and Analysis of National Broadcasting Council of Poland

Andrew Cutting - Council of Europe Press Officer

Genadiy Nadolenko- Ukrainian representative to the Council of Europe Steering Committee on the Media and Communication

Anatoliy Murakhovskiy – First Deputy Chairman of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee

March,11, 2005

At the and of the 7-th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy held in Kyiv on March, 10-11, its participants adopted a separate Resolution for Ukraine with a new Action Plan concerning the fostering of cooperation with Ukraine in media sphere.

The Resolution states that the cooperation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe in media policy is to be continued and strengthened to ensure positive changes and consolidated success, particularly concerning the legal and managerial frameworks, the improvement of the situation concerning media pluralism and independence, and the introduction of real public broadcasting.

The Action Plan compiled for Ukraine by European ministers provides a number of measures to be implemented in six main directions. The first among them is work activation in the normative and legislative sphere, foreseeing the adjustment of Ukrainian laws to the criteria of the Council of Europe. The ratification of European Convention on Frontier Television by Ukraine is the second direction.

The third essential direction of Ukraine's policy towards achieving European standards in media field is the creation of conditions for transparent and independent activity of National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council. In addition, participants of the European Ministerial Conference emphasized on the need to adjust the publishing activity of the state-owned media to the operating standards of independent media. This, together with facilitating development of private mass media, is one of the main conditions of maintaining democratic standards and freedom of expression as well as protection of human rights.

Confirming the important role of NGOs in developing and functioning of contemporary democratic society, European ministers defined one more field of cooperation and adopted the Action Plan for NGOs that work in sphere of human rights and media in Ukraine.

According to a statement of K. Jakubowicz, Ukrainian party will soon be provided with the proposed Action Plan for agreement and subsequent ratification. Chairman of the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Media and Communication expressed a hope that this would be done shortly.

The press-conference on the occasion of closing of the 7th European Ministerial Conference was hosted by:

Karol Jakubowicz – Chairman of the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Media and Communication, Director of the Department of Strategy and Analysis of National Broadcasting Council of Poland

Andrew Cutting - Council of Europe Press Officer

Genadiy Nadolenko- Ukrainian representative to the Council of Europe teering Committee for Media and Communication

Anatoliy Murahovskiy – First Deputy Chairman of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee

March 10th, 2005

On March 10th the 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy: "Integration and Diversity: the new frontiers of European media and communications policy" started its work.

This is the first large-scale international event held in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yuschenko, opened the Conference. In his speech before the participants of the Conference the Head of the State claimed, that he and his government set a goal to provide transparency, honesty and competitiveness of the country's informational space.

«During the last months my team has been and is willing to continue to do everything possible in order to establish European standards in Ukraine, and to make informational space transparent and competitive» - said Mr. Yuschenko.

The President reminded, that dozens of journalists in Ukraine laid down their lives for «writing the truth». «I started my Presidency with the words: «Every journalist in this country will be protected, and all the high profile cases that backlogged during the last years, will be exposed to the public» - stressed the President.

Furthermore, Viktor Yuschenko highlighted the problem of monopolization of the Ukrainian media market. According to his claims, nowadays Ukrainian informational space is «divided among three families».

«We can see and understand the core of this problem and we are ready to find a solution» - emphasized the President and promised that the world will witness the transparent and open informational space of Ukraine in the nearest future.

Mrs. Maud De Boer-Buquicchio, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in her speech during the Conference highlighted the role of mass media in The Orange Revolution's victory: «Freeing from the fear of self-censure, Ukrainian mass media not only chronicled the history, but also made it, providing true and fair view on events, thus, acquiring trust of the people». As to the freedom of expression in times of crisis, Mrs. Maud De Boer-Buquicchio pointed out, that «the country should promote free access to information and guarantee adherence to the principles of editorial independence». Mass media, in its turn, should «keep from the stirring up hostility and respect the dignity of each person, its need for protection, and victim's private life».

Mr. Mykola Tomenko, Vice Prime-Minister on humanitarian issues, the Head of the Conference, announced that 41 official delegations from Member States and 88 international organizations, including 67 non-governmental, 3 observer States delegations from Canada, USA, and Vatican took part in this Conference. The total number of about 500 persons were signed in, which proves great worldwide social interest in the Conference.

Ukraine was represented by Mr. Oleksander Zinchenko, the State Secretary, Ivan Chyzh, Chairman of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, and Oleksander Omelchenko, the Kyiv Mayor.

From March 10, 2005, 1:05 p.m.

Press-briefing on topic - Freedom of expression and information in times of crisis.

The press-briefing will be hosted by representatives of the Radio and Television Supreme Council of Turkey:

• 
  Mrs.Türkan Sebnem BILGET, Head of International Relations Department Mrs. Emine Belma
• 
  ÖRS, Media Expert of International Relations Department

As one of society's main forces working to ensure the freedom to both impart and receive information and ideas, the media plays a very important role, especially during times of war and conflict. The special role places considerable rights and obligations on the shoulders of media professionals working during crises, defined herein as "conflict and wartime".

The work of media professionals in situations of war and conflict is of vital importance. We know all too well how scores of media professionals, especially over the last decade, tragically lost their lives while pursuing stories and striving to keep the public informed.

Legal measures to deal with this issue have been taken by international bodies, as well as at the regional and national levels. The widest applicable legal instrument come in the form of UN legislation and resolutions, and especially the Geneva Conventions of 1929 and 1949 (and its additional 1977 Protocol) and the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

In addition, the Council of Europe's European Convention on Human Rights is a cornerstone for guaranteeing the freedom of expression. Article 10 of the Convention is fundamental for the media and media professionals.

In addition, the Council of Europe adopted in 1996 Recommendation No. R (96) 4 and a Declaration on "The Protection of Journalists of Conflict and Tension" and, in 2002, "Guidelines on Human Rights and the Fight Against Terrorism".

Other legal mechanisms, such as 1975 Helsinki Accords and the 1990 Copenhagen Meeting, and UNESCO's 1980 McBride Report, have also been taken into consideration herein.

Through working to incorporate the spirit of the Council of Europe, this report tries to do the following:

• highlight the issues and their pros and cons;
• touch upon the rights and obligations of media professionals;
• examine the legal instruments both of the Council of Europe and at the wider international level;
• find solutions and make proposals to both the ministers and/or their deputies as well as to the Council itself.

At this point bearing in mind the Council of Europe's action plan for sub-theme 1, this report provides an overview and assessment of the situation by taking into consideration the existing legal mechanisms and furthermore invites member States to take necessary steps and to support all initiatives regarding this issue.

Assessment

Consequently, in the light of foregoing, this report provides an overview of the situation and makes an assessment by taking into consideration the existing legal instruments and invites the Council of Europe to make use of the following proposals in its future work.

• 
  Legal texts should be reviewed, and legal documents within the framework of European standards should be improved in order to guarantee freedom of expression and information in times of crisis.
• Appropriate mechanisms could be established to perform regular reviews and take necessary action to improve free movement of media professionals and addresses questions of their rights and responsibilities in times of crisis.
• Media organizations and professionals should be encouraged to set up information centres in Europe with common standards for the accreditation and training of journalists in times of crisis.
• Member States' implementation of the text adopted by the Council of Europe on freedom of expression and information in times of war and crisis should be monitored.

From March 10, 2005, 1:25 p.m.

Press-briefing on topic - Cultural diversity and media pluralism in times of globalization

Press briefing will be hosted by representatives of the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture of Sweden:

Mrs. Kerstin Persdotter, Director of the Media Division

Ms Karin Liby, Head of Section of the Media Division.

The role of free media in forming democratic forces is indisputable. The recent political development in Ukraine is a remarkable example, close in time and in space.

The range of available media is becoming increasingly extensive. To an ever-growing extent, we can choose which particular types of media we wish to consume and when we wish to do so. Competition between different types of media is growing alongside increasing concentration of ownership in several media markets. An important insight is the need for diversity in the media sector. Without diversity we risk losing out on important aspects of the democratic process, and the major challenges for mass media are therefore about concentration and pluralism.

Media pluralism

Pluralism in the media sector encourages open, free debate. The fact that free opinion can be damaged by less pluralism, both in terms of ownership and in content, is indisputable. This is why the mass media market is unlike other markets. When a small number of media company owners are allowed to become far too dominant in the media market, this has consequences that are not only economic, but that also affect consumers – citizens in democratic society – in terms of providing fewer sources of information.

Internationalisation and globalisation

Creating a market in which there is scope for diversity, both in content and ownership, is what the struggle is all about. This is primarily a matter of such factors as competition laws and financing systems, while being a question of interest both in the global and national context.

The importance of, and need for close cooperation and exchange of information between the Council of Europe and various international institutions such as the EU, the OSCE and different UN bodies, cannot be emphasised enough.

Conclusions

The common starting point for work in the Council of Europe should be a clear initiation of its fundamental task of promoting respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The activities and resources of the Council of Europe must contribute to individuals enjoying their rights to an even greater extent in all member States.

It is extremely important that society in general shoulders its responsibility for broad and diverse media content.

In order to affirm the above mentioned conclusions all players have to formulate what kind of specific significance the diversity of media ownership has for the democratic development of society. The arguments have to be crystal clear. In this context it is also crucial to point out how the global media concentration affects diversity and pluralism at national level. Last but not least – what is the role of the Council of Europe with regard to diversity and pluralism?

From March 9, 2005

On 10-11 March the 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy which is devoted to the role and responsibility of the journalists in times of the critical situations, such as military conflicts, acts of terrorism and natural catastrophes will take place in Kyiv .
 There will be three sub-themes for Ministers of Communication's consideration of Council of Europe's member countries (46 members), outstanding media representatives and Member of Non-Governmental Organizations' considerations:

1. Freedom of expression and information in times of crises.
2. Cultural diversity and media pluralism in times of globalization.
3. Human rights and regulation of the media and new communication services in the Information Society.

At the end of the Conference a Political Declaration and three separate Resolutions will be adopted along with the Action Plan which will define the priority of the Council of Europe in the sphere of mass media for the next years. The work that has been done by Council of Europe in this sphere since the last Conference which took place in Krakow in 2000 will also be assessed.

On March, 10 at 10:30am it is planed to hold a press-conference which will be attended by Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Madame Maud de Boer-Buquicchio and Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine on humanitarian issues, Mykola Tomenko.

On March, 10, at 18:00 it is expected to hold the "round table" attended by Conference guests. The topic will be "European media standards: example for Ukraine".

On March, 11 after closing of the Conference, at 14:00,  press-briefing is planned to take place where the journalists will  have the opportunity to ask questions related to the  Conference political documents that were adopted.

The same afternoon a "round table" is planned to take place. The topic for this event will be "Social and public television: world experience and European realities."

The Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations, working in the mass media and human rights field, took place on 8 March.  Its participants approved and adopted the amendments and additions to the documents, which were subject for approval by Ministerial Conference. The participants of the Forum defined the speakers, who will represent the Forum's decision on the Ministerial Conference on March, 10th.

A wide range of Non-Governmental Organizations, such as International Federation of Journalists, European Radio Community, World Committee of Freedom of Expression, "Open Society" Institute, and Amnesty International Representatives in Ukraine took part in the Forum. Non-Governmental Organizations were invited for expressing their opinions on the conference of such level for the first time.

Thus, the Council of Europe emphasizes the new status of International Non-Governmental Organizations in the Council's work, which is the only International Organization that is taking into consideration their position while making decisions. 

On March, 9th – 12th, in the framework of the Conference, International Specialized Exhibition "Ukraine Informational" will be held, in order to demonstrate intellectual and investment abilities of Ukrainian central, regional and local media, publishing houses and publishing organizations.
National and regional Television and radio companies, printed mass media, news agencies, Internet editions, publishing houses, Book Chamber, Ukrainian Book-Printing Academy, Press and Information Department of Regional State Administrations and Autonomous Republic of Crimea will take part in the exhibition. The total will count more that 100 participants.

 7th European Ministerial Conference and other events will be held in the International Exhibition Center in Kyiv, 15, Brovarskiy ave.
The Conference is open to the press. You can registration on the official site: www.infomedia-e.expo2000.org.ua.

From March 3, 2005

On March, 3 State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine conducted "round table" on a theme: "History of the successful development of mass media in Ukraine, information about the foreign projects of mass media support". This event took place within the framework of the 7th European Ministerial Conference on mass Media Policy: "Integration and Diversity: the new frontiers of European media and communications policy", that will be held in Kiev on March, 10-11.

"Round table" was held in the press-centre of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine that is located in Kiev, Khreshatik, 26.

In "round table" took part representatives of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine: І. Chizh, the chairman of Committee, А. Murahovskiy, the first vice-chairman, V. Shevchenko, the first vice-chairman, V. Petrtenko, vice-chairman, V. Gorobtzov, vice-chairman, S. Lee, the head of the department of International relations and European integration.

During the "round table" such questions came were discussed:
1. Presentation of "Democratization Ukraine: program of small projects".
2. Role of foreign projects in development of independent and free mass media.
3. Projects which will be realized in Ukraine: achievements and prospects.
4. Influence of projects on the qualification training and defense of journalists' professional
            activity of in Ukraine.

From basic themes on a round table came forward:
1. О. Pavlov, director of the "Creative center 'Counterpart'" - Presentation of
            "Democratization Ukraine: program of small projects".
2. S. Kvit is a president of "Center of MediaReforms", dean of journalism faculty of the
            Kyevo-Mohilyanska academy - Role of foreign projects in development of independent
            and free mass media.
3. N. Petrova is the legal expert of project "ТОP-Media" - Projects which will be realized
            in Ukraine: achievements and prospects
4. D. Krikun is leader of Press-centre МGО "Internews-Ukraine" - Influence of projects on
            the qualification training and defense of journalists' professional activity of in Ukraine.

Information about projects which will be represented during the "round table":

Charity fund "Creative center 'Counterpart'" (CCC) is the Ukrainian non government agency, which works for public organizations, organs of local self-governments, state and other structures which assist in development of civil society in Ukraine.
CCC provides training and consultation information, conducts administration of the grant programs, conducts researches and evaluations, protects interest of civil society.

Internews-Ukraine is an international public organization the mission of which is the assistance in development of democracy, and alteration of civil society in Ukraine by means of support of independent and pluralistic mass medium.

Іnternews-Ukraine works in different directions, including in reformation of environment media and creation of editorial policy principles, in educational work among journalists and in the grant of legal mass media support, and also in films and programs creation on a social subject. Internews-Ukraine will realize such projects as: Mediacenter "Candidate", "Legal audit", Global initiativein development of the internet policy "Virtual News Agency", etc.

Project of TOP-Media is financed by European Union and guided by Consortium with the head being BBC World Service Trust. To Consortium includes in itself Polish national Council of Speakers, and the Center of Media Initiatives in Kiev. The beneficiaries of the project are the National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasting, and Ukrainian Association of Publishing of Periodical Press. Purpose of project is to support the development of independent mass media on the south of Ukraine.
TOP-Media project offers seminars, round tables educational journeys and grants directed in support of the independent mass media and legal support. The TOP-Media provides office for the workers of mass media with free access to the Internet and e-mail.

The MediaReform Center was established in 2002 on the base of Mogilyanskaya School of journalism (A national university Kiev-Mogilyanskaya academy).
Purpose of MediaReform Center – is to join domestic informative space (journalists, politicians, civil servants, lawyers, analysts) for creation of favorable climate for independent mass medium in Ukraine.
The partners of the Center are the Independent association of television and radio broadcasting, Ukrainian association of publishers of periodic press, Internet Publishing of "Telecritics", Mogilyanskaya School of Journalism and "Teleradiocourier" magazine.

from 3 March 2005

7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy: "Integration and Diversity: the new frontiers of European media and communications policy" will take place on March, 10-11, 2005 in Kiev. Conference will be held in the International Exhibition Center (Brovarskiy blvd, 15)
The decision about organizing such an event in Ukraine was unanimously accepted during the 59th meeting of the Steering Committee of Council of Europe on mass media policy that took place on May 13 - 16, 2003 in Strasburg
The direct organizer of the Conference was appointed to be the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine

Participants of Conference:
- Member countries of the Council of Europe (46 countries);
- Countries which are not the members of CoE, but belong to the European cultural convention
and have the status of the observers at the Steering Committee on the questions of mass media of the Council of Europe;
- Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
- Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;
- Congress of local and regional public representatives in Europe;
- European center of global interdependence and solidarity;
- European Commission;
- European Parliament;
- Council of Ministers of European Union.

There will be three sub themes represented for Conference participants' consideration:

1. Freedom of expression and information in times of crises (lecture presented by the Turkish delegation). In its scopes it is planned to consider such questions:
- Influence of crises situations, such as terrorism and wars, on freedom of expression and
           information in democratic countries.
- Proper public awareness in relation to crises situations.
- Introduction in action standards of Declaration of freedom of expression and information in mass media in 
  relation to the fight against terrorism, and also Recommendations in relation of journalists defense during
  conflicts situations (accepted by Committee of Ministers of CoE in 1996).
- Collaboration in relation to the help to the journalists at the threat to their freedom and safety during
   illumination of crises situations.

2. Cultural diversity and media pluralism in times of globalization (presented by the Swedish delegation)
- Cultural diversity and its importance for realization of basic rights and freedom of
            European convention on human rights.
- Review of growing tendency of concentration of mass media in a whole world, as a
            result of globalization of economy.
- Support of wide spreading in the of mass media field that deal with the questions of
            intercultural dialog and granting special attention to the minorities and national public
            mass media
- Importance of services of public translation as reflection of cultural variety and as
            substantial factor of pluralism as means of intercourse.
- Introduction of the CoE standards, which has to do with the support and development of              
            independent and stable services of public translation.
- Introduction in action recommendations of CoE in relation to providing democratic and social collaboration
           for the development of Internet.

3. Human rights and regulation of the media and new communication services in the Information Society (lecture presented by the Polish delegation)
- Problem of public access restriction to the Internet and adduction of these limitations in
            accordance with the Convention on human rights.
- Defence of copyrights as a factor of the mass media development and new services of
            communication within the framework of informative society.
- Circumstantial and efficient access to new services of communications, new knowledge
            and skills with stimulation of studies of wide layers of population by mass media.
- Using measures for informing the public on relations to official records and activity of
            public authorities through new communication services.
- Assistance in the child education in the field of new  communication services.
- Fight against the use of new communication means for distribution of the materials
            forbidden by Convention about cyber terror.

A conference will be completed by acceptance of political declaration and three separate resolutions after each of basic themes, and also plan of actions, which will define priorities of collaboration of Council of Europe in mass-media industry for next years. During the Conference there will be  work evaluation conducted about the work that was done after such Conference that took place in Krakow in 2000.

On March, 8, in Kiev, European forum of non-government agencies (NGO) will take place from preparation to the 7-th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy. In forum about 40 local, regional and international non government agencies will take part.
On this forum it is planned to approve the amendments of NGO for resolutions and plans of actions which will be approved at Conference, and to prepare three NGO appearances within the framework, that is planned to be held on March, 10.

A round table will take place on March, 11 "Social and public television: world experience and European realities".

Within the framework of parallel events the International specialized exhibition "Ukraine Informational" will be held on March 9-12. Its purpose is to demonstrate the possibilities  of central, regional and local mass media, publishing houses and publishing organizations, as well as to adjust direct contacts between domestic and foreign representatives to the media sector.

Basic thematic sections of exhibition:
- Printing mass media (press);
- Television and  radio broadcast;
- News agencies;
- Publishing business, book publishing;
- Information network of Internet;
- International cooperation in mass media industry.

On an exhibition there will be represented national and regional television and radio companies,  mass medias, news agencies, Internet publishing, publishing houses, Book chamber, Ukrainian academy of book-printing, Department of press and information of regional state administrations and AR of Crimea (over 100 participants).

Separately a display will be represented "Ukraine Touristic".

from 3 March 2005

New role for NGOs at Council of Europe media conference in Ukraine

Strasbourg, 03.03.2005 – Non-governmental organisations from across Europe will play a more
important role then ever before in the Council of Europe's ministerial conference on mass
media policy in Kyiv on 10 and 11 March.

A dedicated forum will take place two days prior to the conference, on Tuesday 8 March,
enabling NGOs specialising in media and human rights-related issues to draw up written
contributions on the three main conference themes: the role of the media in times of crisis,
promoting media pluralism and cultural diversity in the face of globalisation,
and defending human rights in the "Information Society".

The findings of the NGO forum will then be presented to the ministerial conference on
Thursday 10 March.

A wide range of regional, national and international NGOs are due to take part
in the forum, including the International Federation of Journalists,
the European Broadcasting Union, the World Press Freedom Committee, the Open Society
Institute and Amnesty International Ukraine.

This is the first time that NGOs have been asked to organise such an event and
to contribute to a ministerial conference in this way. This increased level of involvement
reflects the new "participatory status" of international NGOs at the 46-nation
Council of Europe, which is the only international organisation to recognise the role of
NGOs in its decision-making process.

Notes
• Both the NGO forum and the ministerial conference will be entirely open
to the press and will take place at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv
(15 Brovarsky Avenue)
• A press conference will take place at the end of the NGO forum, at
approximately 6.30pm on Tuesday 8 March
• For details on registration and accreditation, please visit the official conference
website at www.infomedia-e.expo2000.org.ua
• For further information, please contact Council of Europe press officer
Andrew Cutting (tel +33 3 90 21 50 27, mob +33 6 86 32 10 24,
e-mail andrew.cutting@coe.int) or visit www.coe.int/2005-media.

Terrorism, globalisation, human rights and the media:
European Ministerial Conference in Ukraine, 10-11 March

Defining the rights and responsibilities of the media in times of crisis, protecting media diversity in the face of globalisation and defending human rights in the Information Society will be the main themes of the 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy, which will take place on 10 and 11 March in Kyiv.

Participants at the conference will include media and communication ministers from the 46 Council of Europe member states, representatives from a range of international organisations, and a number of well-known media figures including Ignacio Ramonet (Le Monde Diplomatique), Kate Adie (BBC) and Ben Bagdikian (University of California).

A forum bringing together up to 40 local, regional and international NGOs will also take place two days prior to the conference, on Tuesday 8 March. The forum will enable the NGOs to formulate and submit contributions on the subjects to be covered, which will then be presented and discussed during the conference itself.

The conference will conclude with the adoption of a political declaration and three separate resolutions – one covering each of the main themes. Participants will also agree an action plan setting out the priorities for Council of Europe-led co-operation in the media field for the coming years, and will review the progress made since the last such ministerial conference, which took place in Krakow in 2000.
Notes

• Both the ministerial conference and the NGO forum will take place at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv, and will be entirely open to the media.

• Copies of the draft working documents for the conference, along with written interviews with some of the ministers involved and comments submitted by a range of NGOs are available at http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/media/

• To apply for accreditation, please visit the official conference website at www.infomedia-e.expo2000.org.ua

• For further information, please contact Council of Europe press officer Andrew Cutting (Tel.+33 3 90 21 50 27, Mobile +33 6 86 32 10 24 or  e-mail : andrew.cutting@coe.int) or visit our special file on http://www.coe.int/2005-media

from 11 November 2004

Ukraine is getting ready to hold 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy "Integration and Diversity: the new frontiers of European media and communications policy", that will be held in Kyiv on March 10-11, 2005

On the 62nd meeting of the Steering Committee that was held on November 2-5, 2005 in Strasburg, (France), among other matter was discussed practical preporation for the holding of the Conference. During the meeting, Ukrainian delegation informed the participants about the conclusion of the first stage of the preparation, mainly about the place of holding 7th Conference and technical abilities of the International Exhibition Centre, where the Conference will take place. The Steering Committee got familiar with the system of registration, detailed instructions, and registration forms.
During the meeting, each participant received an informational brochure along with the computer disc that contains the description of the place of holding the Conference – International Exhibition Centre, that were prepared by "EXPO-2000 Ukraine" LTD.
After the Conference, as the participants have informed, Ukrainian party has planned a culture program for them (visual excursion through Kyiv, with visitation of museums ands other cultural establishments).

On the 62nd meeting of the Steering Committee was discussed a matter abut giving a chance for the non-governmental organizations on the day before the Conference to hold their forum, and to take part in the Conference.

On 10-12 March during the 7th Conference, as one of the events, it is expected to hold an International Exhibition "Ukraine Informational", where there will be introduced national as well as foreign printed mass media, television and radio broadcasting stations, informational agencies, informational network "Internet", publishers, manufacturers, and distributors of publishing materials.

Exhibition "Ukraine Informational" will be the first specialized exhibition that will introduce all spectrums of traditional and modern mass media. Goal of the exhibition – to demonstrate to the European society the abilities of Ukrainian mass media of different levels; and to organize a direct contact-dialogue between national and foreign representatives of media-sector.

Organizers of the Conference:
• State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine
• "EXPO-2000 Ukraine" LTD.
• International Exhibition Centre

Main subjects of exhibition:
• printed mass media (press)
• television and radio broadcasting
• informational agencies
• publishing matters, book-publishing
• informational network Internet
• international cooperation in branch of mass media

from 9 September 2004

The Steering Committee on mass media of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, France) has decided to hold 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy "Integration and Diversity: the new frontiers of European media and communications policy" in Ukraine. The Conference is planned to be held in International Exhibition Centre on March 10-11, 2005 in Kyiv.

The following points are to be discussed during the Conference:
- Freedom of expression and information in times of crisis;
- Cultural and media diversity in times of globalization;
- Human rights and regulation of the media and communication services in the information
   society.

Participants of the Conference are the following:
- Member states of the Council of Europe;
- Non-member States which are Parties to the European Cultural Convention and which enjoy
  observer status on the CDMM:
- Committee of Ministers;
- Parliamentary Assembly;
- Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe;
- European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity;
- European Commission;
- European Parliament;
- Council of Ministers of the European Union.

The Government of Ukraine has assigned the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine as immediate organizer of the Conference. Dmytro Tabachnyk, Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine was assigned the Head of the Organizing Committee.

The opening of the press centre will be a signal of the immediate preparations for the holding of the Conference. The press conference will take place on September 9, 2004 on the premises of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine (Khreshchatyk 26, Kyiv).

The holding of the European Ministerial Conference will have a positive response in Europe regarding Ukraine. Our State will be able to use this response for popularization of its achievements in the field of mass media and communications, which will be an important step in the entry of Ukraine to WTO and European Union structures.

The registration of participants will start October 1,  2004.