Vyacheslav Antonov, 

60, engineer

“It is true that many media in Ukraine do not bother with checking their facts and getting the picture right. That is putting it mildly. But these cases are to be solved in court and it is up to a court to decide if the information was true or false and the punishment for the journalist or media. I do not understand why they need this law.”

Mykhailo Kalinin, 

49, entrepreneur

“This law is a complete disgrace. It is designed to silence the truth. Not this, not any previous government reformed the judicial system. Our courts are corrupt and they can rule whatever they are paid for. They can always twist the truth so that the true information will be called false and journalists will be put in jail.” 

Maryna Polyakova,

44, public servant

“We have read about this law at work today, that it is being withdrawn from parliament. I do not know the details of it but I am glad it did not pass. Of course, the media should not give unchecked and false information. But this punishment, up to five years in jail, is too much.” 

Ivan Stetsenko, 

20, waiter

“Media should not spread rumors, run after sensational information which is not verified. If you say something, be prepared to back it up. I am for this law. On the other hand, imprisonment is way too much. At the most, I think libel is to be punishable by a fine.”

Lyudmyla Chugai, 

49, engineer

“I have heard about the law on the news and I am against it. I think this law will be used to put pressure on journalists and freedom of speech. It will worsen the situation with freedom in Ukraine in general. Hopefully they will kill it in parliament.”