Since beginning of the year, IMI recorded 91 cases of violations of freedom of speech – Romaniuk

Since beginning of the year this year, IMI has recorded 91 cases of violations of freedom of speech, and the vast majority of them were the facts of physical aggression against journalists (66 cases). 

Oksana Romanyuk, Executive Director of the Institute of Mass Information said it on5 June during the online discussion "Security of Journalists and Countering Impunity for Crimes against Journalists" held by the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.

According to Romaniuk, in addition to physical aggression, another trend was observed which was : closed nature of local authorities: under lockdown, the journalists were illegally barred from meetings and sessions of local and district councils. Such cases were recorded by IMI in Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolayiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad regions. 

During the discussion, Oksana Romaniuk stressed the importance of reaching practical agreements with law enforcement on systematic communication and data exchange to contribute to the progress of investigations into attacks on journalists in Ukraine. 

“This is extremely important for us to get feedback and precise information on bringing to account the perpetrators of attacks on journalists and to have a systematic and public dialogue on countering impunity for the attacks on journalists with representatives of law enforcement bodies and the judiciary at the highest level. After all, the work of professional and objective journalists contributes to bringing justice and reduces the influence of criminals and corrupt officials, ”said Oksana Romanyuk.

As IMI reported, as of May 18, the Institute of Mass Information recorded 25 violations of freedom of speech related to quarantine.

In May, IMI experts recorded 11 cases of violations of freedom of speech in Ukraine (January - 19, February - 18, March - 25, April - 18). Seven of them were the fact of physical aggression against journalists.