Ukrainian journalists and media must be able to express their opinions openly and freely, says OSCE Representative

VIENNA, 4 June 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern that the Spokesperson of the General Prosecutor of Ukraine published a list, which includes journalist Miroslava Gongadze and Chair of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergiy Tomilenko, accusing them of being traitors.

“The publishing of a list including names of journalists, accusing them of being traitors, is unacceptable and dangerous. This can have serious repercussions for the safety of journalists,” Désir wrote in a letter to the authorities. “I strongly encourage the authorities to intervene and suspend such practices, especially those undertaken by government officials, given the sensitive and difficult environment in Ukraine at the moment.” 

On 30 May, following an announcement by law enforcement that the death of journalist Arkady Babchenko was staged as part of a special operation, the Spokesperson of the General Prosecutor of Ukraine posted on her Facebook page a list of people, including Gongadze and Tomilenko, whom she named as traitors for their criticism of the state regarding journalists’ safety and impunity for crimes against media in the country. 

“Journalists and media must be able to express their opinions openly and freely. Labelling those with critical voices as traitors put them at great risk, and it must not be tolerated,” Désir added.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.