Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Koshulynskyi and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic discussed the situation in the sphere of ensuring freedom of mass media in Ukraine, as well as the issue on providing our country with expert assistance on the part of the OSCE mass media representatives regarding ensuring freedom of mass media and enhancing the protection of journalists in Ukraine.
In the course of conversation, R. Koshulynskyi claimed that Ukraine highly appreciates role of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media regarding assisting member-states in strengthening proper fulfillment of the OSCE commitments in the sphere of freedom of speech and freedom of mass media. “Ukrainian Party is open to discussion of all issues related to problems of freedom of speech across the OSCE space,” he said and called approach of the OSCE to the issue of ensuring freedom of mass media “active and well-balanced.”
According to the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, ensuring the right to freedom of expression is an integral part of democratic transformations in Ukraine and a component of internal policy of new Ukrainian government. “Complying with international obligations, particularly, in the sphere of freedom of mass media will remain one of the priorities of foreign policy of our country,” stressed R. Koshulynskyi.
He also
claimed that there is an unsolved complex of issues, including legislative
issues, on the way to complete freedom of speech and protection of journalists.
The Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that with consideration of
events of last months, there is an urgent need to enhance protection of mass
media representatives in Ukraine.
According to him, special attention should be attached to ensuring proper level of journalists’ security during mass events. “Use of violence against journalists is inadmissible,” he stressed. “The Ukrainian authority will condemn any manifestations of violence against journalists and will conduct objective and unbiased investigation of crimes against them,” he added.
In her turn, Dunja Mijatovic stressed the necessity to provide mass media representatives with the necessary level of security, especially in the regions where there is political opposition, like in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. She stood for “the guilty of beating journalists to be found and punished in line with the existing legislation.”
Among the directions of further cooperation in the informational dimension, Dunja Mijatovic named the Law of public broadcasting, which requires refinement, and the Law on freedom of speech and on defamation, etc.
The OSCE representative suggested more actively involve mass media representatives in the work of government authorities. “This will be a sign of regaining of trust in authority,” she said.