Our values

Breakwater is independent of any political ideology, economic interests, or religious influences.

We operate based on the principles of:

• editorial and organizational autonomy;
• transparency of funding;
• resistance to external pressure.

We do not allow for situations in which the interests of sponsors, partners, or institutions could influence journalistic content or the festival program.

Quality investigative journalism should be practiced without fear and with the utmost diligence and responsibility.

Journalists and Breakwater participants are required to:

• verify information and use reliable sources;
• clearly distinguishing facts from opinions;
• avoid manipulation, oversimplification, and misinformation;
• adhere to the principles of journalistic ethics.

We support a culture of critical thinking, transparency in methods used, and accountability for published content.

Breakwater creates a space of solidarity between journalists—especially those working in countries where they are exposed to political pressure and repression, or those who have been forced to emigrate.

We support:

• cross-border cooperation;
• the sharing of knowledge and tools;
• the development of joint investigative projects;
• mutual support in crisis situations.

The festival provides a safe environment conducive to building trust and lasting professional relationships.

The safety of participants—both physical and digital—is one of the fundamental pillars of Breakwater’s work.

We are committed to:

• ensuring a safe space at our events;
• implementing appropriate measures to protect participants’ data and communications;
• promoting best practices in cybersecurity;
• responding to all forms of threats, harassment, or intimidation.

We do not tolerate any action that could potentially put participants at risk or compromise their safety.

Breakwater is an open, inclusive space based on mutual respect.

We do not accept:

• discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, health status, or disability;
• hate speech, offensive language, or exclusionary behavior.

We also avoid the unnecessary disclosure of sensitive information (e.g., background, health, orientation) unless it is relevant to the content being shared.

The principles of responsible communication apply throughout the festival—both offline and online.

We expect:

• debates to be conducted in a constructive and fact-based manner;
• respect for others, even when opinions differ;
• that you avoid aggression, manipulation, and misinformation.

Participants at the Breakwater Festival undertake to:

• comply with this code;
• respect the event’s organisational rules;
• respond to breaches by reporting them to the organisers.

The organisers reserve the right to:

• intervene in the event of a breach of the rules;
• remove a participant from the event in cases of serious breaches.

Breakwater operates in a transparent and responsible manner toward participants, partners, and the public.

We commit to:

• clearly communicating the principles of cooperation;
• transparency regarding partnerships and funding;
• continuously improving our organizational and ethical standards.

Breakwater Festival participants commit to:

• adhering to this code;
• adhering to the event’s organizational rules;
• responding immediately to violations by reporting them to the organizers.

The organizers reserve the right to:

• intervene in the event of a violation of the rules;
• remove a participant from the event in the event of a violation of this code or other event regulations or legal provisions, or actions threatening other participants or the course of the event, particularly in the case of serious or repeated violations;
• removal from the event without a refund of the participation fee.

The organizers’ decisions in this regard are final.