Institute of Mass Information (IMI)

Articles by Institute of Mass Information (IMI)

Link to: Journalists launch hunger strike over suspected attempt by politician to take control of TV station

Journalists launch hunger strike over suspected attempt by politician to take control of TV station

(IMI/IFEX) – The staff of Channel 34 in the city of Dniepropetrovsk launched a hunger strike on 24 November 2008 at 10:00 p.m. (local time). The employees of the Dniepropetrovsk Tele-visual Service (also known as Channel 34) are protesting the liquidation of the company and the firing of its management. The journalists announced the hunger […]

Link to: “Ukrainska Pravda” journalist taken by force to prosecutor’s office in poisoning case

“Ukrainska Pravda” journalist taken by force to prosecutor’s office in poisoning case

(IMI/IFEX) – The following is a 14 July 2008 IMI press release: “Ukrainska Pravda” journalist taken by force to public prosecutor’s office in Yuschchenko poisoning case 14 July 2008 – This morning, Sergei Lechtchenko, an online journalist with “Ukrainska Pravda”, was taken by force to the public prosecutor’s office to appear before a judge in […]

Link to: Journalist critical of mayor badly beaten; photographer assaulted by manager of sports stadium

Journalist critical of mayor badly beaten; photographer assaulted by manager of sports stadium

(IMI/IFEX) – In two separate recent incidents, journalists were badly injured in assaults related to their work. In the first incident, Serhiy Tsyhypa, head of the Kakhovskiy Platzdarm press agency, was severely beaten on 16 March 2008 at around 8:00 a.m (local time). An unidentified person assaulted him as he stepped onto the porch at […]

Link to: Respected critical anchor of public affairs programme removed from post by Channel 5 television station

Respected critical anchor of public affairs programme removed from post by Channel 5 television station

(IMI/IFEX) – Ehor Sobolev, a prominent journalist and anchorman of the news magazine programme “Chas” (Time) at Channel 5 television station, was suspended on 28 January 2008. Sobolev was told about this decision by the Channel 5 chief editor, Oleksander Narodetskiy. The programme will resume on 11 February, but anchored by a new personality of […]

Link to: Journalist facing lawsuit over articles victim of suspicious attack in Kyiv

Journalist facing lawsuit over articles victim of suspicious attack in Kyiv

(IMI/IFEX) – On the night of 7 December 2007, Maksim Birovash, a special correspondent for “Business” newspaper, was assaulted by two unidentified persons, the on-line publication “Telekrytyka” reported. The attack comes as Birovash faces legal action over his reporting on the activities of a business consortium involved in the country’s passport programme. The reporter suspects […]

Link to: Authorities refuse to relocate imprisoned journalist despite health risks

Authorities refuse to relocate imprisoned journalist despite health risks

(IRFS/IFEX) – Imprisoned satirist and journalist Sakit Zahidov, of “Azadlig” newspaper, was transferred back to Prison No. 14 on 20 October 2007 from the Chief Medical Department of the Justice Ministry’s Penitentiary System, Zahidov’s wife, Rena, told IRFS. According to her, when she spoke with Zahidov, he vowed he would start a hunger strike immediately […]

Link to: Editor of independent daily resigns in response to “political censorship”

Editor of independent daily resigns in response to “political censorship”

(IMI/IFEX) – The following is a statement from IMI, an interim member of IFEX: Gazeta 24’s editor-in-chief Portnikov resigns due to political censorship On 9 October 2007, the harshly critical journalist Vitaliy Portnikov resigned as editor-in-chief of “Gazeta 24” daily newspaper and of the media holding “MediaDim”. Portnikov cited “political censorship” as the motive for […]

Link to: Editor of critical online newspaper victim of arson attack

Editor of critical online newspaper victim of arson attack

(IMI/IFEX) – The following is a statement from IMI, an interim member of IFEX: “Ostriv” editor-in-chief victim of arson Serhiy Harmash, the editor-in-chief of the highly critical online edition of the Donetsk-based independent newspaper “Ostriv”, reports that his car was intentionally set ablaze on 21 September 2007. He claims the arson attack comes in reprisal […]