Directions for improving media standards during the electoral process in Ukraine, taking into account the experience of leading European countries

Abstract

The article identifies the ways to improve the standards of media work during the electoral process in the context of Ukraine’s European integration and takes into account the experience of leading European countries.
 The influence of the media on the establishment of democracy in Ukraine is especially relevant during the electoral process, so the scientific community needs to develop a unified approach to understanding the standards of media work, including during elections.
 At the level of the European Union, a number of acts have been adopted that are sources of media standards and are applied during the electoral process: The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the Enhanced Code of Practice on Disinformation, and the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters. In some EU countries, there are self-regulatory bodies, such as the Press Council or the Broadcasting Council, which are responsible for monitoring media compliance with ethical and professional standards.
 At the international and regional levels, there are organizations that participate in the formation of media standards, such as The International Federation of Journalists and the European Federation of Journalists. Ukraine is represented in these international organizations by The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine.
 Undoubtedly, Ukraine should continue to take into account international and EU practices in the field of media standards, as well as introduce mechanisms of media self-regulation, in particular, codes of conduct and internal ethics committees, establish an independent ombudsman to mediate between the media and citizens in cases of alleged violations of media standards during the electoral process, and change the procedure for appointing members of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting.