In particular, in grave breach of basic principles of rule of law, extrajudicially (by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, while deprivation of media licenses is possible by court decision only) the Ukrainian authorities banned the broadcasting of three leading news channels – 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK. This is manifested in the absence of the results of the investigation of criminal cases related to attacks on journalists and bloggers, in open state censorship, which applies only to the opposition media and most importantly - in the extrajudicial prosecution of media in opposition to the ruling regime. The journalists wanted to draw the attention of the international partners to the recent curtailment of the process of strengthening the rule of law in the sphere of functioning of mass media. The journalists' protest action was broadcasted we were able to communicate with them live.
On the day of the summit, from 9:00 to 12:00, journalists of Pershiy Nezalezhniy held a special broadcast dedicated to the events of the EU-Ukraine summit. In this respect, the RFoM monitors developments concerning freedom of media throughout the OSCE region and is in regular dialogue with participating States about these issues.Įarlier, on October 12, journalists of independent Ukrainian media, 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, ZIK, Pershiy Nezalezhniy, on the day of of EU-Ukraine summit held a mass rally to draw attention of EU-Ukraine summit guests to violation of freedom of speech in Ukraine. The autonomous institutions of the OSCE all have strong mandates to monitor how participating States implement their commitments and support them in doing so.
#ANN LINDE FULL#
To highlight the importance of respecting freedom of the media in the OSCE region and to promote full implementation of participating States' commitments in this regard, the Chairpersonship and the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) held a special conference on this subject in May. The participating States have made strong commitments in these areas, and we continue to emphasise this in our role as Chair. on independent media and will continue to do so.Īs Chair of the OSCE, Sweden places top priority on respect for human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law.
Sweden's bilateral support to Ukraine's reform agenda has for many years focused i.a. on independent media and will continue to do so,” the letter reads.Īs Foreign Minister and as OSCE Chair, I stand fully behind the right to freedom of opinion, expression and information, as well as free, independent and pluralistic media, in line with international law and OSCE commitments.
“Sweden's bilateral support to Ukraine's reform agenda has for many years focused i.a.
In her letter, she underlined that she fully supported the right to freedom of opinion, expression and information, and free, independent and pluralistic media, in line with international law and commitments of OSCE. OSCE Chair and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde reacted to the address of the representatives of Ukrainian media illegally closed by the authorities.