EUROPEAN STANDARDS OF INFORMATION POLICY: ADAPTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of European standards of information policy and the process of their adaptation within Ukrainian legislation. Theoretical approaches to defining the essence of information policy are examined, with key principles and development directions highlighted in the European context. Based on content analysis and the comparative legal method, the article explores the degree of harmonization between Ukrainian legislation and the EU acquis communautaire, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression, personal data protection, access to public information, and countering disinformation.
The practical section of the article focuses on the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis communautaire, especially in such domains as media regulation (the new Law «On Media»), personal data protection (on the path toward GDPR implementation), access to public information, and combating disinformation. Institutional transformations accompanying this process are analyzed, along with the challenges posed by political instability, limited resources, and the peculiarities of hybrid warfare.
The study finds that Ukraine has made significant progress in adopting and implementing norms aligned with European standards. However, systemic challenges remain, including institutional capacity, political factors, and contemporary information threats. These call for active state policy, enhanced institutional capacity, and the engagement of civil society and the media in ensuring transparency and information security. The results of the study confirm the necessity of further improvement of the regulatory framework, the development of monitoring mechanisms, and the strengthening of Ukraine's information environment resilience.