61 legal consultations provided by IMI’s lawyers over phone emergency line

The IMI lawyers provided 61 legal consultations to the journalists and the mass media over the phone emergency line since the January 15th, when the line has been launched. As presidential election is approaching, the journalistic community has more than ever questions as to their work, as the lawyers said. In particular, the journalists often were asking what the difference between election propaganda and reporting on developments related to the election is. In what manner they must cover these facts so that the report won’t be considered as election propaganda to the benefit or against some candidadte for the presidency. Or the journalists inquired about access to some meetings of the candidadtes for the presidency given exclusively to “friendly” journalists. Such incidents became systematical phenomenon, caused by lacunes in the current legislation. Apart of this, the legal consultations were concerning : -inactivity of investigation officers within the proceedings over crimes in connction to obstruction to journalistic professional activity; -failure to provide access to the séances of municipal councils; -suggestions as to the way to proceed in case if an official person refused to comment; -using of the words “the best”, “top” and so on in publicity; -takig pictures of paintings in a museum; -properly drawn up agreement of leasing of premises for reformed printed press outlets; The Institute of mass information is going to advise the journalists whole professional rights are infringed. To get the legal aid you should call the number of emergency line of IMI: (050) 447 70 63 (the days of the week and the election day), or send a message to [email protected]. Our lawyers Roman Golovenko and Ali Safarov are providing the free legal advice. The emergency line is to function 24 hour the presidential election day, 31st of March 2019. Our legal service will help you to defend your rights and will provide advice as to further steps. Our analytical service will gather the facts of violations and communicate it to prominent international institutions and law enforcement bodies demanding to probe into these cases.