Ukraine to introduce responsibility for journalists who manipulate information

Ukraine is going to strengten responsibility for the journalists who disseminate untruthful or manipulative information. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Volodymyr Borodyansky said it on November 6 at the parliamentary hearing on the safety of journalists, as Hromadske reported.

Borodyansky said, the concept of "manipulation of public opinion" and its criteria will be set up in the law. Borodyansky stressed that both administrative and criminal liability could be imposed for manipulation of the public opinion and for ordering such manipulation.

“Lately, there has been a lot of debate about freedom of speech and the borderline between its protection and manipulations. Yes, we realize well and know it that this verge is very thin, and I understand that the imperative task of the government is to get this balance between protecting its information space and protecting freedom of speech. That is why the protection of journalists and the responsibility for distorting public opinion are inseparable parts, ” Borodyansky said.

At the same time, he emphasized that, first of all, the authorities should ensure the protection of journalists and guarantee the conditions under which they can do their work honestly and professionally.

The minister also believes that the responsibility for the disclosure of data of the journalists should be strengthened. The relevant changes, as he said, are to be introduced into the legislation.

As IMI reported, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Volodymyr Borodyanskyi suggested to introduce criminal responsibility for deliberate distortion of public opinion in mass media.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Ukraine will elaborate legislation to define the notion of media manipulation and protection of journalists.