On 14 May 2026, a workshop entitled “Freedom of Expression through the Lens of Historical Memory” was held as part of the Jean Monnet Chair project “EU Standards on Freedom of Expression and Information” (EUFreeMedia, 101127062), co-funded by the European Union.
The event was held online via Zoom and brought together approximately 80 participants, including university lecturers, students, school teachers, representatives of civil society organisations, civic activists, and other interested individuals.
The workshop aimed to promote academic and public dialogue on the interconnections between freedom of expression, the right to truth, and historical memory.
Hennadii Ivanushchenko, historian, Editor-in-Chief of the Sumy Historical Portal, former Director of the State Archives of Sumy Region, and Director of the Archives of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists in London, delivered a presentation entitled “Access to Archives as a Means of Countering Disinformation.” The presentation focused on the importance of open access to archives for establishing historical truth, verifying the accuracy of information, and countering manipulative interpretations of historical events.
Serhii Dehtiarov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, and member of the EUFreeMedia project team, devoted his presentation to debunking historical myths and the role of historical research in countering disinformation. The discussion addressed the creation and dissemination of distorted historical narratives, the importance of critical analysis of historical sources, and the need to distinguish historical facts from politically motivated interpretations of the past.
Vladyslava Zavhorodnia, thematic coordinator of the EUFreeMedia project, delivered a presentation entitled “The Experience of Implementing Wartime Censorship in Foreign Countries during the 20th Century.” The presentation examined historical practices of restricting freedom of expression and the dissemination of information in democratic countries during wars and states of emergency. Particular attention was paid to the challenge of striking a balance between national security needs, the protection of military information, and the preservation of democratic guarantees of freedom of expression.
The event featured a lively discussion, with active contributions from participants representing various professional backgrounds. The discussion highlighted the relevance of access to reliable historical information, countering disinformation, and promoting a responsible approach to historical memory, particularly in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
We sincerely thank our speakers and all participants for their insightful presentations, active engagement in the discussion, and interest in the EUFreeMedia project. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming events!