The overall objective of the Joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled "Promotion of European Standards in the Ukrainian Media Environment" (2008-2012) was to raise standards of journalism with a view to ensuring that the Ukrainian public is better informed about political and social processes in Ukraine.

From September 2008 to December 2012, the project provided continuing support for enhancing the legislative framework for media and for promoting ethical standards among journalists. It also provided assistance for enhancing the legal framework on protection of personal data. Finally, the project supported an ongoing dialogue between the media, civil society and the state administration at the regional level, aiming ultimately to generate recommendations for enhanced co-operation at the central level.

The JP achieved significant results and effectively contributed to landmark achievements such as the ratification by Ukraine of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television in December 2008 and its further implementation, notably the advertising and sponsorship rules. In addition to this, the analyses and comments provided by the Council of Europe experts were instrumental in bringing the draft Law on Access to Public Information closer to the European standards. The law was adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament (the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine) in January 2011. The project also conducted training on the application of the access to information law for more than 800 public officials, journalists and civil society activists in 17 regions of Ukraine.