The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) and Detector Media (DM) have updated the Recommended Media Map methodology, refining and expanding the criteria for assessing harmful content and adding extra criteria for assessing unlawful advertising.
The methodology assesses media outlets against three groups of criteria:
- independence and accountability,
- professional standards,
- journalism ethics.
The methodology comprises a total of 14 indicators.
“IMI seeks to continuously develop our products in step with external factors and changes in legislation. We regularly review our methodologies and work on improving them. In particular, the ‘Harmful Content’ section of the Recommended Media Map methodology has been amended: it was refined and brought into line with the law’s requirements following a legal analysis,” said IMI media analyst Olena Holub.
IMI has itemised the “Harmful Content” criterion as part of the update. The assessment now covers content that promotes terrorism, justifies of endorses Russia’s aggression, promotes abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances or illegal arms trafficking, denies or justifies the crimes of totalitarian regimes.
Unlawful advertising has been identified as one more subcategory of harmful content. Now the assessment covers not only advertising published by the outlet directly but also advertising served through third-party ad networks, partner blocks, and covert promotion.
The methodology sets out detailed criteria regarding advertising for gambling businesses, tobacco and nicotine products, medicines and treatment methods, and alcohol. In particular, it takes note of covert gambling ads, promo codes and affiliate links, advertising for prescription drugs, failure to comply with warning requirements, and other violations of the law.
Media outlets featured on the Map of Recommended Media may gain extra opportunities within grant programmes, since donors take this status into account during selection.
The Map of Recommended Media is produced with financial support by the European Union.
The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) is a civil society organization specializing in the media, operating since 1996. IMI defends the rights of journalists, studies the media landscape and reports on media-related events, fights propaganda and disinformation, and provides media workers with safety equipment for trips to combat areas (since the start of the Russo–Ukrainian war in 2014).
IMI carries out the only monitoring study of freedom of speech in Ukraine, keeps a list of transparent and responsible online media outlets, and tracks Russia’s media crimes in the war on Ukraine. IMI has representatives in 20 oblasts of Ukraine and runs a network of Media Hubs that provide journalists with unfailing support. IMI’s partners include Reporters Without Borders (RSF); the organization is also a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
