A petition has been published on the president's website demanding a press conference for independent media

Electronic petition to the President of Ukraine

According to Рубрика — Політика: On August 27, an electronic petition appeared on the website of the President of Ukraine calling on Volodymyr Zelensky to hold an open press conference for independent and critically-minded journalists. This initiative is a response to the need for dialogue with the public, especially after the protests that took place in Kyiv and other cities following the resignation of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The authors of the petition believe that such a press conference will allow journalists to ask pressing questions regarding domestic policies and government decisions that were raised during the protests.

At least five previous petitions with similar demands were blocked due to non-compliance with requirements. Journalist Danylo Mokryk reported the publication of a new petition, indicating that perhaps 'the requirements that previous petitions did not meet have suddenly changed.' This time, the address was published on the official website of the president and is open for signatures. As noted in the text of the petition, 'one realistic way to hear citizens may be an open press conference involving independent and critically-minded journalists.'

Proposed media for participation in the press conference

The petition proposes to involve representatives from the following media in the press conference:

• Ukrainska Pravda
• Bihus.Info
• Slidstvo.Info
• Radio Svoboda
• hromadske
• Kyiv Independent
• Suspilne
• NV
• Dzerkalo Tyzhnia
• BBC Ukraine
• Liga.net

Journalists should be given the opportunity to ask questions without prior approval of their content.

Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the mass protests that occurred after Fedorov's resignation, stating that this is an element of democracy and freedom. In his evening address on July 21, he mentioned that he had offered Fedorov a respectable position in the government. On July 30, Mykhailo Fedorov expressed his readiness to return to the Ministry of Defense if the president made such an offer.

Thus, the petition for holding an open press conference has become an important step in establishing dialogue between the authorities and society in the context of current political changes in Ukraine. It emphasizes the need for openness and transparency on the part of state institutions, especially in the context of social protests that indicate the citizens' demand for active participation in the political process.