The police summoning Syla Pravdy journalists for a questioning over their upcoming investigation into an official may have been an attempt at pressure, aiming to interfere with the release of the material. Journalists gathering information about officials in order to inform the public is not unlawful, especially where possible corruption risks are involved, said Institute of Mass Information lawyer Volodymyr Zelenchuk.
Zelenchuk explained that Article 182 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine stipulates liability for unlawful collection of confidential information about a person without their consent. However, gathering of information as part of reporting can not automatically be classified as unlawful.
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“Especially where potential corruption-related violations are concerned, since the public interest in this information being released outweighs the potential harm to the private interests of the individual or their family,” the lawyer remarked.
Zelenchuk added that obstructing a journalist’s lawful work is a criminally punishable act. Liability is likewise provided for deliberate misreporting of a crime.
“It will be interesting to see whether the police will be just as thorough in checking the details reported [by Syla Pravdy], given that the journalists have openly and in good faith confirmed that their actions were lawful,” Volodymyr Zelenchuk said.
Lutsk police questioned Syla Pravdy journalists Darya Timoshkova and Anna Prysiazhna earlier on 10 November, having summoned them to the police station over over their upcoming investigation into the wealth of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ territorial service chief.
