Fighting for freedom of the press

Toro Creative Union based out of Kirovograd, Ukraine, is a civil society organisation that strives to develop democratic procedures and citizen participation in the Ukraine. Since 2009 this human rights watch organisation has also been acting as Transparency International’s contact in the Ukraine.

Olekssi Khmara is the President of the organisation and has been monitoring press freedom in the Ukraine for some time now. Khmara believes that the problem of censorship goes back to before President Viktor Yanukovych’s electoral victory last February. Censorship exists in the Ukraine because those who hold public office in the Ukraine are also the countries business and media owners.

Khmara explains that grassroots movements like Stop Censorship and international pressure are important tools in fighting government corruption and press-censorship. 

Is it right to say that since President Yanukovych was elected last February that freedom of the press has deteriorated in the Ukraine?

A number of Ukrainian media groups have said that such a problem exists. Proof of this is in the fact that journalists have created a resistance movement called Stop Censorship. The group is made up of more than 500 journalists from national and regional media. This is more than just some journalist’s union.

Why is freedom of the press under attack?

Freedom of the press has been deteriorating for two years now. This goes back to when former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was in power and has continued under President Yanukovych. Ukrainian media is controlled by the will of their owners, who are the leading businessmen. These men are also the politicians in the Ukraine. Abrupt changes to editorial policy are very common and dependent on whether a politician/media owner is in the opposition or the government. When President Yanukovych took power all key state positions went to members of one political force, the Party of the Region. Including the top positions that control key institutions. So today there is no one to hold back the imprudence of certain hotheads. Given the context censorship should not come as a surprise.

How did your organisation react to the news that the editor and journalist Vasyl Klymentyey has gone missing?

Although it is too early to talk about the causes of his disappearance Toro is very interested in a transparent and impartial investigation of this case.

Were you reassured by the President’s statement of concern?

Recently, the President and the government under Prime Minister Mykola Azarov have made loud statements. But one should judge their actions. So far, based on experience and previous promises, one can’t be very optimistic.

What action has your organisation taken?

Transparency International sent an open letter to the Ukrainian government demanding that it demonstrate openness and impartiality in the investigation of the cancelation of licenses for TVi and Channel 5. We have already had a reply signed by Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Sivkovych. We continue to monitor the situation.

What type of concrete impact do these campaigns have?

The President declares at every public event that he is a friend of freedom of speech and that he is ready to personally investigate every case of censorship in the Ukraine. So far we have not seen any concrete steps in this direction. Although I can’t deny that the influence that certain business owners have over the editorial policy of certain national TV channels has really declined after the statements made by international organisations.    

Are you hopeful for the future?

Of course I am! After the electoral failure of former President Yushchenko and his party many in the Ukraine and in Europe began to say that citizens had lost the power they had won in the Orange Revolution. However, the organisation of movements by civil society, journalists and social activists has proven the contrary. Everyone knows that no right is ever a gift, you have to fight for it.