Information and Communication Activities of the Ukrainian Mass Media within the Conditions of Donbas War

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to find out whether / how the journalistic standards differ in peacetime and during military operations.

Research methodology. The matter under discussion is the system of ethical and legal aspects in the framework of information and communication activities under conditions of war. In light of the fact that the Ukrainian academic community has not yet seriously been involved in studying coverage of modern military conflicts, this article focuses on the author’s own observations that were initiated in the international multi-authored monograph «The role of technology in the socio-economic development of the post-quarantine world» (Katowice, Poland) last year, as well as results of current discussions at the top-rated media platforms, analysis of special issue material and current legislation. The article is based on analysis and synthesis to verify information and make conclusions, comparison and description to correlate different levels of data and other scientific methods with the help of which we start discussions about journalistic standards, evaluate the level of coverage of events in the Donbas region; we think about where journalism ends and propaganda, disclosure of top-secret information and hate language begin; we enter into polemics about vulnerable groups of population and ways to incite interethnic hatred and conflicts.

Results. As it turned out, Ukrainian journalists have to distance themselves from events and clearly distinguish all communication traps. According to the traditions of the Ukrainian journalistic community and current legislation, all media professionals involved in the war in eastern Ukraine should thoroughly check all the facts, trust only expert sources, they do not have to believe their own and someone else’s emotions, to use hate language and to incite interethnic hatred and conflicts. One has also to keep in mind that a journalist’s civic-mindedness is a serious violation of international standards.

Novelty. In the result, we come to the conclusion that the proposed topic, despite ongoing discussions, is unfortunately still new and remains open and promising for research, as it is a question of balancing on a narrow edge of patriotism and journalism, universal and national values and observance of the international rules.

The practical significance. The material is appropriate to be used by theorists during educational and scientific discussions and academic courses as well as by experts as a guide in the zone of military conflicts.

Key words: journalistic standards, war, propaganda, legislation.