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

Ukraine journalists protest defamation bill

Print version
Oct. 1, 2012, 1:52 p.m. | Ukraine — by Associated Press

Protesters hold blank posters during a protest against a government-backed bill that envisions jail time for defamation in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. Ukraine's journalists saying the authorities will use the law to silence the media.
© Photo by Kostyantyn Chernichkin

SEE ALSO

Ukrainian journalists have protested outside the country's parliament against a bill they fear will be used to muzzle the media, holding up empty posters to highlight their concerns about censorship.

The bill, backed by the party led by President Viktor Yanukovych, calls for toughened punishment for defamation, including prison terms of up to five years. International watchdogs have criticized the measure as a government attempt to silence independent journalism.

Several leading Ukrainian newspapers and magazines have protested in recent days by publishing editions with blank covers.

More than 100 journalists took part in Monday's rally. The legislature is set to consider the bill in the final reading next week, even though its author had sought to rescind it.

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.