In a time when information has become one of the key tools of war, independent journalism takes on a special significance. This very topic was dedicated to the educational meeting “Freedom of Speech During War: Ukraine, Switzerland, Russia,” which took place on July 26, 2026, at the Foyer Liebfrauenkirche in Zurich as part of the “About Life in Switzerland” series.
The event was held under the auspices of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Zurich. Media partners included Business Woman Magazine, the VIDNOVA Swiss-Ukrainian Association, and the information platform Ukrainians in Switzerland, which support educational initiatives, the development of media literacy, and open public dialogue.
The speaker of the meeting was Maryna Okhrimovska — a journalist, editor, and co-founder of the online project “Switzerland for All,” which has been covering the life of the Ukrainian community in Switzerland since 2014, as well as the author of materials for the Ukrainian and Russian services of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
In her professional work, Maryna Okhrimovska talks about the Swiss who consistently support Ukraine, as well as Ukrainians who have found refuge in Switzerland and are making a significant contribution to the development of local communities. Her publications document stories of volunteering, humanitarian aid, integration, preservation of Ukrainian culture, and the development of international cooperation.
During the meeting, participants discussed the role of independent media during wartime, the principles of journalistic ethics, information security, mechanisms of disinformation, and modern tools for countering Russian propaganda. A separate topic was the story of Maryna Okhrimovska and the “Switzerland for All” project being included in the Russian registry of so-called “foreign agents,” which served as another piece of evidence of the pressure independent journalists face for their professional activities.
The event was moderated by Olesya Tarasenko — President of the VIDNOVA Swiss-Ukrainian Association, Director of the foreign representation of Business Woman Magazine in Switzerland, and member of the Pastoral Council of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Community of Zurich.
The presentation was followed by a lively discussion during which participants raised questions about media responsibility, fact-checking, freedom of speech in a democratic society, and the role of critical thinking in the context of an information war. All attendees reached a common conclusion: freedom of speech is inextricably linked to responsibility, and quality journalism remains one of the foundations of a democratic society.
“Today, the struggle is taking place not only on the battlefield. It is also happening in the information space, where truth, professional journalism, and critical thinking become essential tools for defending democratic values,” noted Olesya Tarasenko.
Business Woman Magazine consistently supports initiatives that contribute to the development of civil society, international dialogue, media literacy, and professional journalism. It is precisely such meetings that help the Ukrainian community not only to better understand modern information challenges, but also to form a responsible attitude toward the dissemination of information and the protection of democratic principles.
The organizers express their sincere gratitude to Maryna Okhrimovska for a candid and professional conversation, to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Zurich and Fr. Ivan Machuzhak for supporting educational initiatives, as well as to all partners and participants whose active involvement made this meeting an important platform for a meaningful public dialogue.
Author: Olesia Tarasenko
Photo: from the author’s archive