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07/18/2003 | SLAVKO
Brussels, 18 July 2003
From: International Federation of Journalists
Letter to the Editor
Peter Byrne's article "Tempest in a teacup Misinformation feeds secrecy law
scare," published on July 17, displays an astonishing complacency about the
problems facing journalists in the Ukraine. We do not agree with the tone or
the conclusions of this piece.
For the record:
1. We have good journalistic sources for our expression of concern.
2. We have plenty of experience of "technical" and "administrative"
amendments to law that are used to put undue pressure on journalists.
3. We do not have to rely on "scare stories." Real-life evidence of
official incompetence, political negligence and legal obstacles in the
affairs of journalists are frightening enough in the Ukraine. The failure of
Ukraine authorities to protect journalists (the Gyorgy Gongadze case being
the most devastating) has undermined professional confidence in the
authorities when it comes to the rights of journalists and media.
4. We do not accept that these so-called "technical" and "administrative"
alterations to law are anything of the sort. The rights of the security
services to act against journalists and their sources over the methods used
to obtain information are strengthened by these changes. This is
unacceptable and the full impact is not clear. It is entirely appropriate
for journalists to express their legitimate fears about how they may hinder
investigative reporting.
As I say, it is wrong to suggest that Taras Shevchenko, the Kiev attorney,
was the source for our protest. We had already obtained the relevant
information on the bill from other sources and we were seeking additional
clarification from him. He may think, now, that the IFJ statement
exaggerates the impact the law will have on journalists, but the journalists
we have talked to don't agree with him.
Earlier this year the IFJ produced a report on the Ukraine after a visit to
Kiev and meetings with many journalists and officials. That report, Unity
For Justice - The Challenge of Change for Journalism in the Ukraine. Inquiry
Into the Social and Professional Conditions of Journalists in the Ukraine
reflects serious and well-founded anxiety about the situation of media and
independent journalism in the Ukraine. Your readers will find the report on
the IFJ website: http://www.ifj.org
When the questions posed by this report and by many others within the
international community have been answered we may move into a new phase of
relations between the media and the authorities, which will bring the
Ukraine into the media mainstream in Europe. We look forward to that
eventuality. Meanwhile, we shall remain vigilant and work with journalists
in the country to ensure that the rights of independent media and
journalists are respected.
Yours sincerely,
AIDAN WHITE
General Secretary
International Federation of Journalists
From: International Federation of Journalists
Letter to the Editor
Peter Byrne's article "Tempest in a teacup Misinformation feeds secrecy law
scare," published on July 17, displays an astonishing complacency about the
problems facing journalists in the Ukraine. We do not agree with the tone or
the conclusions of this piece.
For the record:
1. We have good journalistic sources for our expression of concern.
2. We have plenty of experience of "technical" and "administrative"
amendments to law that are used to put undue pressure on journalists.
3. We do not have to rely on "scare stories." Real-life evidence of
official incompetence, political negligence and legal obstacles in the
affairs of journalists are frightening enough in the Ukraine. The failure of
Ukraine authorities to protect journalists (the Gyorgy Gongadze case being
the most devastating) has undermined professional confidence in the
authorities when it comes to the rights of journalists and media.
4. We do not accept that these so-called "technical" and "administrative"
alterations to law are anything of the sort. The rights of the security
services to act against journalists and their sources over the methods used
to obtain information are strengthened by these changes. This is
unacceptable and the full impact is not clear. It is entirely appropriate
for journalists to express their legitimate fears about how they may hinder
investigative reporting.
As I say, it is wrong to suggest that Taras Shevchenko, the Kiev attorney,
was the source for our protest. We had already obtained the relevant
information on the bill from other sources and we were seeking additional
clarification from him. He may think, now, that the IFJ statement
exaggerates the impact the law will have on journalists, but the journalists
we have talked to don't agree with him.
Earlier this year the IFJ produced a report on the Ukraine after a visit to
Kiev and meetings with many journalists and officials. That report, Unity
For Justice - The Challenge of Change for Journalism in the Ukraine. Inquiry
Into the Social and Professional Conditions of Journalists in the Ukraine
reflects serious and well-founded anxiety about the situation of media and
independent journalism in the Ukraine. Your readers will find the report on
the IFJ website: http://www.ifj.org
When the questions posed by this report and by many others within the
international community have been answered we may move into a new phase of
relations between the media and the authorities, which will bring the
Ukraine into the media mainstream in Europe. We look forward to that
eventuality. Meanwhile, we shall remain vigilant and work with journalists
in the country to ensure that the rights of independent media and
journalists are respected.
Yours sincerely,
AIDAN WHITE
General Secretary
International Federation of Journalists
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2003.07.19 | SLAVKO
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IFJ Raises Alert Over Death of Journalist in Ukraine18/07/2003
The International Federation of Journalists today called on the Ukrainian government to explore the reasons behind the “suspicious” death of newspaper and television editor Vladimir Efremov, and to establish whether or not it was connected to his professional work.
On 14 July, Efremov was killed in a car accident, when his car collided with a MAZ truck near Verkhnyodniprovsk town. Efremov was editor-in-chief of the Sobor Dnipropetrovsk newspaper and he also headed the 11th regional TV-channel, Sobor agency, as well as the Dnipropetrovsk newspaper.
On 13 October 2001, in the government newspaper "Golos Ukrainy", Efremov had said he feared he would be killed because of his journalistic activities, probably in a staged road accident. Subsequently, Efremov had agreed to testify at former Prime Minister, Pavlo Lazarenko's 18 August trial in the United States, on charges of "embezzlement of public funds".
Maryna Dovhopola, Lazarenko’s lawyer confirmed today that the American lawyers of Lazarenko had met with Efremov before the tragic car accident. “Conditions for press freedom and journalists’ safety have deteriorated rapidly in the Ukraine”, said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. Journalists must be able to criticize all levels of society freely, a basic right that has not been respected by Ukrainian authorities in recent years.
Volodymyr Reshetilov, Deputy Prosecutor of Dnipropetrovsk region has said that the criminal investigation group has started its inquest and also added that Serhiy Zhydkov, chief of local Department on Traffic Accidents is in charge.
The IFJ is supporting journalists in the Ukraine to create better social and professional condition. “There must be clear and verifiable explanations as to the death of our colleague. If not we can only fear the worst,” said White.