Key facts
- An online petition demanding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold an open press conference with independent media was registered on August 27.
- The petition, initiated by activist Anna Repina, requires journalists to be able to ask questions without prior content approval.
- This is the sixth attempt to register such a petition, with at least five previous ones being rejected.
- The petition had garnered over 7,000 signatures within its first day.
- It requires 25,000 signatures within three months to be officially reviewed by Ukrainian authorities.
An online petition calling for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold an open press conference with independent media was successfully registered on August 27, following five previous rejections. The petition, initiated by activist Anna Repina, seeks to ensure that journalists from outlets including the Kyiv Independent can ask questions without prior approval of their content.
Repina expressed determination, stating that continuous effort is necessary for results and that ignoring the movement would only lead to its wider spread. The first similar petition was filed by Danylo Mokryk, a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, after a government reshuffle and the dismissal of a popular defense minister, which led to significant public protests. Mokryk noted that Zelensky's last open press conference was in February 2025.
Recent months have highlighted a need for more transparent communication between the Ukrainian government and its public, with chants like "Conversations, not speeches" emerging during protests. Zelensky has largely opted for exclusive interviews with foreign media giants instead of engaging with domestic independent journalists, though he has participated in sporadic off-the-record meetings and answered questions via WhatsApp. Mokryk, who has had success with previous petitions, including one that led to a bill being submitted to parliament regarding court corruption, expressed surprise at the rejections.
At the time of publication, Repina's petition had garnered over 7,000 signatures in its first day and requires 25,000 signatures within three months to be officially reviewed by the authorities. Repina indicated that future actions would depend on the authorities' response, or lack thereof.