In May, journalists have been attacked more frequently - IMI

In May of 2016, the largest number of violations  of freedom of press was registered compared to any other month of 2016 (7 beatings and attacks against journalists, 11 cases of obstruction, 5 threats).

Also, for the first time since the beginning of the year, in May there were three registered cases of political pressure against journalists related to politicians’ declarations after publication by the website “Myrotvorets” of the list of journalists and their personal data.

At the same time, according to IMI, the number of assaults against journalists and obstruction is somewhat lower than during the same period of 2015.

At that, the number of threats to journalists related to their professional activities grew by one half compared to the same period of 2015 (39 threats for the entire year of 2015, and 21 threats - for the first five months of 2016).

IMI experts draw a connection between the increase of the number of threats to the journalists and attacks against them in May and, among other factors, the public campaign organized by some politicians to discredit the profession of a journalist as such and to tarnish the journalists’ image.

IMI executive director Oksana Romaniuk emphasizes the necessity to create professional associations of journalists that could help them uphold the standards of their profession by criticizing the cases of unethical or unprofessional behavior as well as protect them, especially the investigative journalists.