Problems in ensuring the proper implementation of personal data processing for journalistic purposes in the Ukrainian and European Union law

Technological advances have increased the media's power, requiring journalistic activism and the invasion of privacy. This research aims to analyse the ways of ensuring the proper implementation of personal data processing for journalistic purposes in Ukraine and the European Union (EU). The study focuses on a comparison of case law and the experience of European countries to determine the reasons for granting journalists access to personal data, the limitations of such cases and the applicability of the proportionality test in practice. As a result, the author found out that journalistic exemption allows the dissemination of personal data, if necessary, in a democratic society while respecting the interests of citizens and their right to privacy. In conclusion, the author states that some European countries and Ukraine have to revise their national laws to balance the right to journalism with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. Therefore, this research proposes several ways for their further cooperation in the field of personal data protection.