Journalists demand that President Poroshenko stop censorship in Ukraine
More than 60 media representatives have appealed to President Petro Poroshenko, the government and the General Prosecutor's Office to stop its censorship and blackmailing of media outlets through the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting. A corresponding appeal has been published on the website of Ukrainian news agency Era-Media.
As of February 19, the appeal has been signed by more than 60 supporters.
In the statement, journalists called the actions of the National Council the beginning of curtailment of freedom of speech in Ukraine.
"A distinct punitive role toward the work of the media is being carried out by the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting. The actual duties of this [authoritative] body have been reduced to censorship, constant unscheduled inspections, blackmail of editorial offices regarding the renewal of licenses, etc.," the appeal says.
The media community is demanding Poroshenko to give an explanation for his direct interference and/or interference through his subordinates in issuing licenses and organizing editorial inspections.
"We demand to know how he is monitoring the activities of the presidential ‘quartet’ at the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting. Withdraw representatives of the National Council on TV issues appointed under the Presidential allotment," the journalists said.
The journalists also want to hear an assessment from the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) on the coordination of SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) units that "eavesdrop on journalists”.
"The supervisor of these units is the Deputy Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine, Oleg Frolov, who systematically provides relevant information to the Administration (of the President of Ukraine)," the statement said.
Additionally, the signers demand that MPs from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine debrief on the work of the National Council on issues in television and radio broadcasting over the past year.
"We demand that the Verkhovna Rada prohibit the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting from carrying out unscheduled media checks for one year," the statement says.
In addition, the journalists are demanding that the General Prosecutor’s Office conduct an investigation into the leadership of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, and National Council member Serhiy Kostinsky in particular, regarding the obstruction of journalistic activities, as well as verification of allegations published in media such as Artemenko.leaks that these individuals exerted pressure on journalists.
The letter of appeal has already been signed by journalists at Era-Media, Inter, ZIK, NewsOne, 112 Ukraine, Era-FM, and UA | TV, among other media.
Ukrainian actor and producer Vladimir Zelensky's video appeal to the SBU in November 2017 over his television series “Matchmakers” became a hit. The SBU later responded to the actor.