Weaponizing Information: Media Capture as a Legal Form of Corruption – The Case Study of Taras Kozak

This research examines the case of Taras Kozak’s media capture in Ukraine as a critical instance of how information channels can be weaponized to influence political systems and destabilize democracies. Taras Kozak, a prominent politician and ally of Viktor Medvedchuk, acquired key Ukrainian television channels –112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK – in the 2020s. Through these outlets, pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation were disseminated to undermine Ukraine’s democratic institutions, discredit its Western alliances, and align public narratives with Kremlin interests. Using offshore financial structures, Kozak exploited gaps in Ukraine’s pre-2023 media laws to obscure ownership and funding sources, effectively bypassing regulatory safeguards. The research explores the mechanisms of media capture employed in this case, focusing on the intersection of political influence, corporate opacity, and hybrid warfare strategies. Drawing on data from investigative journalism, legal sanctions imposed by Ukrainian authorities, and civil society reports, this case study illustrates how media ownership concentration can undermine transparency and accountability. It also evaluates the legal and policy responses, particularly the 2021 sanctions by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and the subsequent introduction of the 2023 Law on Media, which aims to address the regulatory deficiencies that enabled such activities. This presentation will analyze the implications of this case for media independence and democratic resilience in the context of hybrid warfare. It highlights the urgent need for international collaboration to enhance media regulation, combat disinformation, and safeguard democratic institutions from external manipulation. By focusing on the Ukrainian experience, this study contributes to broader discussions on the vulnerabilities of transitional democracies in the face of strategic corruption and state capture through information systems.