Ukraine’s information space is currently under unprecedented pressure from external and internal factors. The hybrid war waged by Russia has turned the information sphere into one of the key fronts of confrontation, where systematic attacks on the consciousness of citizens, state institutions and social unity are taking place. Under these conditions, the formation of an effective information policy becomes a matter of national security and preservation of state sovereignty.
The current state of Ukraine’s information space is characterized by a complex interweaving of challenges, including large-scale disinformation campaigns organized by Russian special services, regular cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and growing dependence on foreign technology platforms. At the same time, the country’s information environment suffers from internal problems: insufficient media literacy of a large part of the population, which makes it vulnerable to manipulation; oligarchic concentration of media resources, which limits the pluralism of opinions; imperfect legislative framework in the field of information security and regional fragmentation of the information space.
Reforming the information sector on the basis of Christian democratic ideology involves finding a harmonious balance between necessary security measures and fundamental freedoms. The center of this approach is a person with his or her dignity and the right to reliable information. The information space should serve the development of the individual and not turn him or her into an object of propaganda or commercial manipulation. Freedom of speech and expression, being a fundamental value, must be balanced by responsibility for the information disseminated. At the same time, the state should intervene in the information sphere only when civil society, media and individual citizens cannot effectively counter threats on their own, which is in line with the principle of subsidiarity.
Protection against disinformation and information threats requires a comprehensive approach, including the development of modern legislation, the creation of an effective system for monitoring the information space, and the development of strategic communications. Legislative changes should strike a balance between national security and democratic freedoms, in line with European standards and taking into account the realities of hybrid warfare. The information space monitoring system should ensure early detection of disinformation campaigns and coordinate responses to them. Strategic communications of the state should be based on the principles of truthfulness and transparency, ensuring prompt response to disinformation and formation of its own information agenda.
The development of responsible and ethical media is a key element of a healthy information space. Public broadcasting, free from political and commercial influence, should become a reliable source of information and a platform for public dialogue. Media pluralism, which implies a diversity of media, including local and specialized ones, ensures that the interests of different groups of society are represented. Transparency of media ownership allows citizens to understand the possible influences and interests behind certain media. Self-regulation of the media market through professional codes of ethics and independent journalistic ethics bodies helps to improve the quality of the information product and trust in the media.
Ukraine’s digital sovereignty is gaining strategic importance in the current environment. The development of national digital platforms as alternatives to global social networks and other digital services ensures the availability of national options in strategically important areas without isolating the country from the global digital space. Protection of personal data of citizens in accordance with European standards includes both legislative guarantees and technical solutions to ensure confidentiality. Promoting the development of Ukrainian-language content on the Internet and adapting global platforms to Ukrainian realities strengthen national identity in the digital space. Active digital diplomacy allows Ukraine to influence the formation of international rules and standards for the digital space, using its unique experience in countering information threats.
Information literacy of the population determines the resilience of society to manipulation and disinformation. Including media literacy in educational programs at all levels, conducting information campaigns to raise awareness of information threats, supporting independent fact-checking projects, and creating dialogue platforms to discuss socially important issues create a culture of critical thinking and responsible information consumption.
Reforming Ukraine’s information space should be carried out in close cooperation with international partners, especially in the context of European integration. Harmonizing Ukrainian legislation on information policy and media with EU standards, actively participating in international initiatives to counter disinformation, studying and adapting the successful experience of European countries, and implementing joint projects with EU partners will help attract additional resources and expertise.
The strategy of restoring the information space in the de-occupied territories requires special attention. Rebuilding the damaged information infrastructure, expanding the coverage of Ukrainian broadcasting, providing access to the Internet, implementing information reintegration programs aimed at overcoming the effects of Russian propaganda, documenting cases of disinformation and enemy information operations, supporting the development of local media – all this will help restore the country’s unified information space.
The Christian democratic approach to reforming Ukraine’s information space is aimed at creating an environment that respects the dignity of every person, ensures the right to reliable information, supports pluralism of opinions and a responsible attitude to the information disseminated. In the context of war and global information challenges, this approach helps to preserve democratic values while providing reliable protection against disinformation and manipulation.
Creating an effective regulatory framework, developing institutional capacity in the field of information security, supporting media pluralism, investing in digital sovereignty, systematic development of media literacy, international cooperation and creating platforms for constructive dialogue – these strategic directions will allow Ukraine to form a stable and democratic information space capable of effectively countering external threats and promoting the development of a society based on the values of human dignity, freedom, responsibility and freedom of speech.
