Speaking against oppression of the media, denouncing the government and promoting free speech is noble. The sad part is that many of these protesters go back to their newsrooms and do what they do every day – give in to censorship that has became common in most outlets in Ukraine.
It is no secret among journalists and experts that some topics – such as President Viktor Yanukovych’s property and his family’s business interests – as well as thorny corruption issues are off limits in most TV newsrooms and in newspapers. Journalists are strongly advised to cover some people flatteringly, while warnings are issued to not cover some public figures, including top businesspeople and officials.
One prominent news outlet has the coverage policy of “good or nothing at all” involving one minister because the chief editor is a close friend. Other media outlets are owned by oligarchs who don’t want any enemies in government.
Just watch the news on biggest national TV channels – you will find mostly positive coverage of the government, a tiny dose of criticism to spice things up, criminal news and, often, obviously paid-for stories.
Many journalists were among the first to speak up publicly in 2004 at the rise of the Orange Revolution.
They refused to lie or mislead. We hope that many of TVi and LB.ua defenders take a close look at what they do at work every day.
