OSCE Representative calls on authorities in Ukraine to refrain from restrictive laws limiting free media and free flow of information

VIENNA, 22 April 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that recent legislative steps in Ukraine could limit the free flow of information.

On 20 April, President Petro Poroshenko signed amendments to the law on cinema, which tighten restrictions on the distribution and broadcast of certain audio-visual materials allowing a blanket ban of all Russian films produced or released since the beginning of 2014.

In 2015, Mijatović said that such laws could restrict media freedom (see the Representative’s report to the OSCE Permanent Council available at www.osce.org/pc/165276).

“Even under the state of hostilities democratic countries have a responsibility to carefully address the potentially problematic content, for example through the use of appropriate judicial mechanisms, in order to avoid overbroad steps and introduction of censorship-like provisions,” Mijatović said.

“Ukraine’s current significant progress in the area of media freedom should be preserved and enhanced, not undermined.” 

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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.