Why strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Ukraine cause certain concerns among journalists and media lawyers, and how they relate to the safety of journalists, was discussed during the three-day "Post/Surveillance: Investigative Journalism in the Conditions of a 'Long' War" conference.

Ukrainian and foreign journalists, media experts and lecturers shared their experiences, professional and personal risks, and the challenges they face during the Russian war of aggression.

This was the 16^th All-Ukrainian annual conference of investigative journalists, organised by the Regional Press Development Institute and co-financed by the Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA). The event gathered 201 participants offline, with 238 joining online.

Flutura Kusari, Council of Europe consultant, Senior Legal Advisor at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom took part in the panel discussion “Pressure on Investigative Journalists during the Full-Scale Invasion - new forms of an old problem?”.  While Ukrainian journalists shared their experience of different types of pressure they face, Ms Kusari introduced new anti-SLAPP standards provided by the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2,  Directive (EU) 2024/1069 and PACE Resolution 2531 (2024). She highlighted the vital role these standards play in safeguarding freedom of expression and freedom of media, while also noting the legal support should be available to media professionals.

The Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) continues its work on anti-SLAPPs measures and the implementation of “Journalists Matter” campaign in Ukraine

The Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” (SFEM-UA) is implemented by the Council of Europe  Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.