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.
