JOURNALISM AND THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION AS TOOLS FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE: ASSESSMENT OF MEDIA ACCESS TO ANTI-CORRUPTION AUTHORITIES

Background: Since 2014, Ukraine has made significant progress in establishing its anti- corruption framework. However, the communication channels of the country's anti-corruption agencies remain limited, preventing the open and accessible dissemination of information regarding their activities. Transparency, as a critical feature of information openness, guarantees that civil society can access relevant governmental data. In this context, investigative journalism has proven to be a vital tool for exposing corruption and holding authorities accountable. This paper examines the role of journalism in combating corruption in Ukraine, emphasising its importance as a tool for ensuring government accountability and transparency. It provides an overview of Ukraine's anti-corruption policies and institutions, exploring theoretical models of media-government-society relations. Considering the 'Public Watchdogs' Right to Access Information, the article addresses the complexities surrounding the right to access information under wartime conditions and analyses whether investigative journalism can lead to the exposure of corrupt officials that prompt state anti-corruption bodies to take action. Methods: This article applies McQuail’s theory of democratic participation to examine the role of journalism in reporting corruption cases and promoting transparency. To investigate the current state of transparency in Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts, it employs content analysis of the websites of three key institutions: the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, and the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine, including its Appeals Chamber. The analysis highlights challenges related to the openness and accessibility of the information provided by these institutions. Results and Conclusions: Findings indicate that while state anti-corruption agencies formally provide access to information through their websites, journalists encounter significant barriers to timely and systematic access. The research highlights the impact of martial law on information access, emphasising the state's discretion in balancing security concerns with transparency obligations. The study concludes with recommendations for improving the communication strategies of anti-corruption bodies, proposing measures to enhance transparency and public trust.