Ukraine

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: World Journalists Back “Courageous 200” Fighting Intimidation and Censorship in Ukraine Election The International Federation of Journalists today backed the “courage and defiance” of more than 200 television journalists in the Ukraine who have publicly denounced intimidation and political censorship during the presidential election. The call […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 29 October 2004, seven journalists with the privately-owned television station 1+1, which is controlled by presidential chief of staff Viktor Medvedchuk, resigned in protest over its biased coverage of the campaign for the 31 October presidential election. “We refuse to take part in an information war which the authorities have declared on […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Call For Solidarity as Hunger Strike by Journalists Inspires Ukraine Protests against Election Censorship The International Federation of Journalists today called on journalists around the world to send messages of support and solidarity to colleagues at the Ukrainian independent broadcaster, Kanal 5, where over 250 […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned an increase in the harassment of online publications and journalists in recent months in Ukraine, including the use of searches and lawsuits. “These intimidation tactics are particularly dangerous as they come just days before the presidential election,” the organisation said. On 18 October 2004, police searched the home of Natalia […]

(RSF/IFEX) – A Kiev court’s decision to freeze the financial assets of Ukraine’s only opposition television station, Kanal 5, because of a defamation suit is “totally abnormal and very disturbing,” said RSF. The move comes just two weeks before the presidential election. The station’s bank accounts were frozen on 18 October 2004 as a result […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 16 September 2004 CPJ press release: UKRAINE: Four years later, case of murdered journalist Gongadze remains unsolved Media harassed ahead of elections New York, September 16, 2004 – Four years after the disappearance and death of Ukrainian journalist Georgy Gongadze, the Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by the […]

(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: Five journalists’ groups criticise government denial in Gongadze murder Reporters Without Borders and four other journalists’ organisations today denounced the Ukrainian government’s denial of evidence implicating it in the murder in 2000 of journalist Georgy Gongadze. “As we feared, the government’s new examination of crucial tape […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called on Interior Minister Mykola Bilokon to investigate “thoroughly and openly” a fire that destroyed part of the offices of the independent daily “Postoup” in the western town of Lviv on 19 August 2004. The fire, which was deliberately set, according to authorities, came two months before national presidential elections. The […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: Ukraine: Investigative journalist attacked, tapes taken New York, August 19, 2004 – An investigative journalist working on a story about government corruption was beaten in the middle of the day on a main street in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye, and taped interviews for his […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 12 August 2004 CPJ press release: Ukraine: Threatened radio director gets refugee status in the U.S. New York, August 12, 2004-The director of the shuttered Kyiv radio station Kontinent has arrived in Washington, D.C., after gaining refugee status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In a telephone interview […]

(Freedom House/IFEX) – The following is a 7 July 2004 Freedom House press release: UKRAINE: MEDIA UNDER INCREASING THREAT AHEAD OF ELECTIONS NEW YORK, JULY 7, 2004 — As Ukrainian citizens prepare to vote in important national elections in October, the country’s news media is under increasing assault, threatening the chances for a fair electoral […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF and the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) have voiced doubts about the independence of the judiciary and have sought assurances of a fair trial for those accused of murdering journalist Igor Alexandrov. The journalist was beaten to death three years ago in July 2001. The prosecutor’s office announced in autumn 2003 that […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 22 June 2004 CPJ press release: UKRAINE: Breakthrough in Gongadze case met with deep suspicion New York, June 22, 2004-Ukraine’s prosecutor-general, Gennady Vasilev, announced yesterday that investigators are questioning a suspect who admitted to killing independent journalist Georgy Gongadze, local reports said. The citizen, identified only as K, is […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Ukraine “Must Face Truth About Gongadze” As Murder Mystery Begins to Unravel The Government of the Ukraine “must face the truth and take responsibility” over the brutal killing of opposition journalist Georgiy Gongadze, says the International Federation of Journalists as new developments put fresh pressure on […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Interior Minister Mykola Bilokon to conduct a “thorough and open investigation” into an attack by three unidentified men on Petro Kobevko, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Chas”, in the western town of Chernivtsi. The organisation described the 28 May 2004 attack as “very alarming” in view of the presidential election due […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 23 May 2004, Olexandre Pomytkin, aged 43, known for investigating corruption within the security forces, was arrested in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. He was charged with theft and fraud. On 22 May, Kostyantyn Sydorenko, aged 28, was arrested in Mukashevo, western Ukraine, while covering the city’s mayoral election for a website. On 25 […]