Issues of adapting national legislation to European Union law on the legal protection of journalists during wartime

In the context of active hostilities, journalists, despite threats to their lives and safety, continue to fulfill their vital mission–informing the public and the international community about the course of the war, exposing the aggressor's crimes, and documenting the consequences of the conflict. However, war not only endangers journalists' physical safety but also creates significant obstacles to the realization of their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information. Under these circumstances, ensuring adequate legal protection for journalists becomes an urgent priority, especially in the context of Ukraine's European integration aspirations. Adapting national legislation to the standards of the European Union in the field of human rights, particularly the rights of journalists, is a crucial step in this process. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the challenges and issues related to adapting Ukrainian legislation to European norms for protecting journalists during wartime. It will include a comprehensive review of international and European legal instruments governing journalistic activities in conflict zones and an in-depth analysis of existing Ukrainian legislation in this domain. Based on the findings, specific recommendations will be developed to improve Ukrainian legislation to ensure the effective protection of journalists during war. These recommendations will include proposals for implementing European standards, creating mechanisms for rapid response to violations of journalists' rights, ensuring their physical and psychological safety, and enhancing journalists' awareness of their rights and available protections. Implementing these proposed changes will contribute to creating a favorable environment for journalists' work, guaranteeing their rights to freedom of expression and access to information, even under wartime conditions.