Accountability systems

Given the above mentioned broad nature of Ukrainian laws in the media sector, there are little to no mechanisms to hold journalists and outlets legally accountable unless there is enough ground to imply defamation or similar serious crimes. This is accentuated by the fact that most legal conflicts are either based on bad faith accusations or are resolved in bad faith upon agreement of the parties concerned based on their vested interests. Both situations stem primarily from the oligarchic nature of Ukrainian media that has spread even into the state sector.

However, the situation is somewhat different when it comes to accountability in terms of the reputation of outlets. It has become especially tangible in the wake of 2014 revolution with the establishment of a good number of NGOs and watchdogs in the media sector, including, among others, the Institute of Mass Media and Detector Media.