EDITORIAL POLICIES OF UKRAINIAN ONLINE MEDIA: CONTENT AND RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the editorial policies of seven Ukrainian online media outlets included in the White List compiled by the Institute of Mass Information: Suspilne News, Ukrinform, Ukrainska Pravda, Babel, LB.ua, Frontliner, and The Ukrainian Week. The study aims to identify common practices, differences, and gaps in the self-regulation of editorial activities of these media outlets. A range of methods was applied, including document analysis to examine editorial policy texts, a comparative method to benchmark editorial documents against each other and against industry standards, as well as typological classification and generalization. Despite existing research on journalistic ethics, media self-regulation, and the transformation of professional standards under wartime conditions, the content and comprehensiveness of editorial policies of individual Ukrainian media outlets remain underexplored. In this study, the editorial documents of the above-mentioned online media outlets were examined based on nine criteria (mission and values, journalistic standards, ethical norms, editorial independence, advertising policy, corrections and retractions policy, regulation of journalists' behavior on social media, wartime considerations, and policies on the use of artificial intelligence). The findings reveal variability in the form and scope of editorial policies, ranging from comprehensive institutional documents (Suspilne News, Ukrinform) to structured editorial guidelines (Ukrainska Pravda, Babel, LB.ua) and concise statements of principles (Frontliner, The Ukrainian Week). It was established that core elements, such as mission statements, journalistic standards, and editorial independence, are present in all analyzed policies. Ethical provisions generally correspond to the principles of the Code of Ethics of Ukrainian Journalists while also expanding them through references to other documents; detailed sections address gender equality, the coverage of conflict-related sexual violence, and the protection of minors. The study also examined the adaptation of editorial policies to wartime conditions. Relevant provisions are found in the policies of Suspilne News and Ukrinform, while some media outlets reinterpret the principle of balance in the context of covering Russian aggression. It was found that policies regarding the use of artificial intelligence are formalized by only two outlets, while four media organizations regulate journalists' conduct on social media. The findings may contribute to the improvement of editorial policies in Ukrainian media, the development of industry recommendations, and the support of journalism education