Ukraine’s Ukrainska Pravda news outlet accused President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration of pressuring the outlet to influence editorial policy. The outlet claimed the pressure was particularly concerning during Russia’s invasion, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism. Lawmakers have called for prosecutors to investigate the allegations, urging punishment for those responsible for pressuring the media.
Founded in 2000, Ukrainska Pravda is a widely-read news outlet in Ukraine. In 2021, it was acquired by Czech businessman Tomas Fiala. The outlet has a history of facing challenges, with one of its founders, Georgiy Gongadze, being kidnapped and found decapitated in 2000. Additionally, in 2016, journalist Pavel Sheremet, a contributor to Ukrainska Pravda, was killed in a car bombing in Kyiv.
The Mediarukh association of Ukrainian journalists has called on President Zelensky to take action to stop any state official from pressuring the media. Freedom of the press is a crucial issue in Ukraine’s efforts to democratize following the overthrow of an authoritarian pro-Russian government in 2014.
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