In August 3-4, 2017, the two-day journalistic workshop “How to cover the judicial reform in a clear way” was held in Poltava. The event was organized by the Academy of Ukrainian Press with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Ukraine funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
“Journalists have to be aware of the impartiality level among judges and debunk the situations where a hidden influence on making legal decisions is detected. Understanding the processes of judicial reform, reaction through materials and perfect work of journalists on coverage of litigation is a constituent factor of increasing public confidence in the media. Journalists should understand that impartiality, competence and clarity – are the main requirements for materials from the courtroom,” mentioned Valeriy Ivanov, President of the Academy of Ukrainian Press.
During the training, Poltava journalists shared their experience of participating in court sessions, as well as asked what a journalist should do if, in their opinion, they were illegally prevented from doing their work by prohibiting photographing, audio and video recording.
“Court sessions in Ukraine are open and free to visit for any citizen of Ukraine,” said Markiyan Galabala the vice-chairman of the Interim Special Commission for the Verification of Judges of General Jurisdiction, reminded journalists, “Judicial reform involves free audio, photo or video recording of the trial, if this fixation does not interfere with the work of a judge and participants of the process. In case of illegal actions of a judge, one should immediately complain to the High Council of Justice.”
Markian Galabala described in detail the stages of constitutional and judicial reform, what has changed in the courts over recent years, and why judges have no right to challenge judicial decisions of their colleagues that came into force.
Andrii Yurychko, media trainer and teacher at the Institute of Journalism, Taras Shevchenko National University, discussed with the event participants such issues as the particularities of journalistic work during the court session, the possible structure of future material, as well as questions that can be put to the participants of a trial, and where experts can be found.
The journalists received recommendations on work with judges, attorneys, lawyers, and they realized how to give documental and factual evidence of information that is included in the material, confirm the sources of obtaining judicial extracts and additional information.
The workshop was also interesting because not only practical journalists but also representatives of Press Service at Poltava District Court took part in it. Thus, journalists were able to ask representatives of judiciary branch the questions and exchange the experience of trial coverage from both sides.
A huge three-year joint project of the Academy of Ukrainian Press and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (with the supported of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany), is aimed at increasing of qualification level among Ukrainian journalists. The event is organized by the Academy of Ukrainian Press in cooperation with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom with the supported of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
Gefördert durсh die Bundesrepublik Deutschland
With the support of Federal Republic of Germany
