OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media meets with Ambassador of Ukraine
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met today, 3 February 2021, with Ambassador Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk to discuss the media freedom developments in Ukraine and areas in which the RFoM’s institution can provide assistance. In particular, the discussion focused on the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on the application of sanctions against certain media outlets, which was enacted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 2 February 2021.
Ribeiro expressed her concern about the sanctions that suspended the activities of TV channels 112 Ukraina, Zik and NewsOne and requested more information from the authorities in order to fully assess the decision and the related restrictions on media freedom. Tsymbaliuk agreed to follow-up on this request.
Ribeiro said that the Ukrainian authorities should find a balanced and proportional solution for countering propaganda, a solution that preserves media pluralism, free flow of information and diversity of opinions in line with relevant international standards and OSCE commitments. She offered her Office’s assistance in providing expert recommendations on the issue. The Representative added that when propaganda amounts to incitement to hatred and violence, relevant measures may be applied by using existing national and international legal instruments.
Ribeiro and Tsymbaliuk also discussed the prospects for a visit of the Representative to Ukraine, and agreed to engage in further discussions.