CEO of 1+1 Media Group Oleksandr Tkachenko has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for manipulating public opinion and pressuring independent media.
“Now, for some reason, you decided that 1+1 journalists are intimidated. I would be grateful if you would give examples. Now, if they do not exist, I am going to sue you for manipulating public opinion and pressuring independent media. I have enough facts,” Tkachenko said on Facebook on March 29.
According to him, the president had previously asked the television channel to support him in the elections in 2014, and later tried to gain control over the 1+1 channel “mainly by means of pressure and blackmail.”
Tkachenko also expressed regret to his colleagues from Channel 5 TV and Pryamiy TV, saying editorial policy at the channels has a negative impact on their work.
“I want to assure you that there will be no revenge on the return of control over the media by the authorities,” Tkachenko said.
As reported, 1+1 Media Group said it was ready to defend itself in court following the statement by member of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (Bloc of Petro Poroshenko parliament faction head) Artur Herasymov that incumbent President Petro Poroshenko intended to file a lawsuit against the company for spreading lies and disinformation.
