Photo: screenshot from the video of dumskaya.net
In Odessa, on August 8, an unidentified man attacked the TV crew of Dumskaya TV during a live broadcast at “Lotomarket”'s gambling club, D
umskaya reports.
As the newspaper noted, as the assaulter learned that there was a live broadcast, he started threatening.
"If I see myself on the TV screen, we will have a lot of troubles," said the man to a journalist who approached him.
A moment later, he picked up the camera. The equipment was damaged as a result of the incident. Reporters contacted police .
IMI lawyer Ali Safarov noted that the actions of the person recorded in the video footage had signs of obstruction of legitimate journalistic activity and a threat to journalists.
“According to Article 21 of the Law of Ukraine “On Information ”, information with restricted access, in particular, confidential information, is the information that is restricted by an individual or a legal entity. For example, photo and video may be restricted in private territory. However, such a restriction must be imposed by the legal entity, in this case by the club, and should be communicated to visitors in a clear and effective manner, for example by means of a crossed-out camera sign. Moreover, even if it is forbidden to shoot indoors, but journalists record offenses - according to part four of Article 21 of the Law of Ukraine “On Information” journalists act lawfully ”, - said Ali Safarov.
He noted that the use of force, beating, damaging thr property, including video equipment, is in any case an illegal act, except the cases of self-defense.
“So even if it was a really private room, and it really prohibited filming, and they banned to film there, the use of force and property damage were not a legitimate response. The actions of the person recorded in the video footage show signs of obstruction of legitimate journalistic activity and a threat to journalists, the criminal offenses envisaged by Articles 171, 345-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, ” the IMI lawyer said.
