OSCE representative deeply worried about illegal interference in broadcast retransmissions in eastern Ukraine

VIENNA, 17 April 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the seizure of the television tower in Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.

“I am extremely worried about today’s seizure of the television tower in Sloviansk and subsequent cutting of Ukrainian channels,” Mijatović said. “Citizens’ right to access to information must be upheld at all times.”

On 17 April a group of unidentified individuals took over the television tower in Sloviansk, which also provides terrestrial signals to neighbouring towns of Horlivka, Kramatorsk and Makiyivka. Reportedly, the broadcasting of Ukrainian channels has been cut off and replaced with channels originating from the Russian Federation.

“I am worried that this might become a dangerous pattern and call on the authorities to ensure the protection of media facilities and infrastructure in eastern parts of Ukraine,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.