Media check: News producers of "1+1" imitated broadcasting from different locations when they covered the hostage incident in Lutsk

Within the framework of joint mechanism of the NGOs, "Detector Media" and "Institute of Mass Information" for considering complaints against mass media "Media Check", a complaint was filed for covering by the new program TSN of TV channel «1+1» of hostage taking situation in Lutsk in July 21, 2020.

For the context, "Detector media" and Institute of Mass Information launched a mechanism of complaints for substandard journalist materials that violate the legislation and professional standards. On the websites of the organizations, special form is posted for filing public complaints. Any user can file a complaint, but anonymous complaints are not considered. This mechanism will serve as a tool for operative consulting of mass media violations. If the situations with the filed materials is complicated, the organizations forward the complaints for consideration by the Commission of Journalist Ethics and Independent Media Council.

As to the complaint No.69 concerning coverage of hostage situation in Lutsk on July 21, 2020, by program TSN at the channel "1+1", the complaint was that two journalists, Solomiya Vitvitska and local journalist Tetiana Khomych were filmed as if they were in different location, when in fact they were near each other, thus the audience was being misled.

After consideration, the opinion of MediaCheck experts is that although indeed, even though there was no direct mentioning that the journalists are in different locations, the channel tried to create the appearance of this being the case. However, because this information was not relevant to the news reported in any way, the interests of audience were not deemed affected.

The Initiative «MediaCheck», in spite of some details violating clauses 6 and 8 of the code of Ethics, and clause «б», Part 1 of Article 60 of the Law of Ukraine «On Television and Radio Broadcasting», withholds from acknowledging violations at covering the events in Lutsk on July 21, 2020 in the TSN news report at channel «1+1», because the actions of the journalists did not harm the interests of the audience. Still, the Initiative reminds the journalists that it is necessary to render information in an accurate way.

 July 28, 2020