Media Movement calls on Zelenskyy and law enforcement agencies to respond to systemic pressure on independent journalists and investigators
This is reported in a statement by the Media Movement, published by Detector Media, Censor.NET reports.
"Anonymous Telegram channels, which publicly declare that they work for the government and constantly defend it, and trash websites are already systematically persecuting independent media and investigative journalists, arranging provocations in real life. Unknown aggressors are trying to portray Ukrainian journalists as "enemies of the people", Russian agents, drug addicts, and discredit their professional work.
Over the past few days, we have witnessed attacks on Yurii Nikolov, a journalist with the "Nashi Groshi" project, and on Bihus.Info, and before that on "Detector Media", "Ukrainian Pravda", "Dzerkalo Tyzhnia", "NV", "Censor", "Babel", "Liga.net", and "Espresso". In addition to provocations and attempts to discredit them, there is surveillance, wiretapping and violations of journalists' right to privacy - all with the aim of putting pressure on independent media. All these actions are crimes that require a prompt response from law enforcement agencies. And all of them are harmful to the future of Ukraine as a democratic state," stated Media Movement.
The media call on law enforcement agencies to take into account the seriousness of the situation and promptly identify and bring to justice the people involved in organising these persecutions and attacks on journalists.
"It is in the interests of the state leadership to protect freedom of speech and stop provocations against journalists, as anonymous telegram channels, probably involved in organising these provocations, directly call them revenge for criticising the authorities, in particular the president," the statement said.
They also called on Ukraine's international partners to stand up for the persecuted journalists and on Ukrainian society to prevent the authorities from intimidating the media.
In their opinion, only public control guarantees the steadfastness of adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and the effective fight against corruption.
"Only through joint efforts of society and the state can we overcome threats to our statehood and freedom. We will not allow those who are trying to intimidate independent Ukrainian media to destroy our unity. Because it is the key to our victory," stressed Media Movement.
The day before, a video was posted online showing Bihus.Info employees allegedly using drugs at a New Year's corporate party. The founder of the project, Denys Bihus, noted that the video showed part of the team, namely the cameramen. According to him, the journalists did not use drugs.
"The team is aware of the gravity of the situation. Of course, the wiretapping and surveillance were illegal, and the goals of those who recorded are clear. But this is no excuse for what we saw on the video - namely, the use of illegal substances by several of our colleagues," the team said.
Later, Bihus said that Bihus.Info team members had been under surveillance for about a year. And the New Year's corporate party was part of an operation by security forces.
Earlier, investigative journalist Yuriy Nikolov said that on 14 January, unknown men broke into his apartment and tried to intimidate him. One of the anonymous Telegram channels "Card Office" (which is associated with the Office of the President) published a post with video and photos from the scene.
The head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, said that this constituted an obstruction of journalistic activity.
The Kyiv police reported that they were conducting an investigation into the threats to journalist Nikolov.
