In ENGLISH | РУС/УКР
Sign in | Register
Mobile version | Subscription | RSS Archive
KyivPost

The Moscow Times: Media watchdog denounces Ukraine defamation bill

Print version
Sept. 21, 2012, 8:40 a.m. | Ukraine abroad — by The Moscow Times

People gather on Kyiv’s Independence Square on Sept. 16 to honor the memory of Georgiy Gongadze, murdered in 2000, and other journalists who lost their lives since Ukraine became a nation in 1991. Two days later, parliament launched a new assault on free press by approving a bill that would make defamation punishable by up to five years in prison.
© Ukrafoto

SEE ALSO

 An international media watchdog urged Ukrainian lawmakers Wednesday to reject a bill that would make defamation a crime, saying it could "threaten the very existence of independent journalism." 

This week, Ukraine's parliament, dominated by President Viktor Yanukovych's allies, tentatively approved a bill that would make defamation punishable by up to five years in prison, restoring a Soviet-era practice that Ukraine abolished 11 years ago.

Currently, alleged libel can result in only a civil lawsuit, and journalists who lose would just face fines.

Read more here.

READ MORE IN SECTION
The Kyiv Post is hosting comments to foster lively debate. Criticism is fine, but stick to the issues. Comments that include profanity or personal attacks will be removed from the site. If you think that a posted comment violates these standards, please flag it and alert us. We will take steps to block violators.
Advertising link

KyivPost

© 1995–2012 Public Media

Web links to Kyiv Post material are allowed provided that they contain a URL hyperlink to the www.kyivpost.com material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. Otherwise, all materials contained on this site are protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced without the prior written permission of Public Media at news@kyivpost.com
All information of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency placed on this web site is designed for internal use only. Its reproduction or distribution in any form is prohibited without a written permission of Interfax-Ukraine.