People’s Deputy of Ukraine, the leader of the European Party of Ukraine, Mykola Katerynchuk registered yesterday in the Parliament the Draft Law of Ukraine “On Protection of Journalists’ Professional Activity” (reg.no. 2140 of January 30, 2013).
Mykola Katerynchuk believes that the legislation of Ukraine, which regulates the activities of journalists, is “outdated (adopted in the 90’s) and does not meet the international legal standards and the current situation”.
“The draft law stipulates that a journalist must follow in his work the principles of independence and impartiality, responsibility and professionalism; observe the rights of the individuals and entities and respect the total set of moral values. Journalist has freedom of thoughts, speech and expression in his professional activity. At the same time, the draft law emphasizes the inadmissibility of the abuse of rights and freedoms of the journalist” – said in the explanatory note of the draft law.
The major attention of the draft law is paid to guarantees for the professional activities of journalists. The state guarantees the realization of rights and freedoms of journalists by imposing the duties on institutions and organizations and their officials to present the objective information about their activities. The draft law provides social guarantees for journalists, establishes the liability for violations of rights and freedoms of journalists, obstruction of their professional activities and persecution of journalists in connection with their professional activities, censoring, etc.”
According to the draft law a journalist cannot be brought to justice for the expression of opinions, beliefs or judgments, by which he evaluates anything, reveals attitude to someone and views on anything, including criticism. The views, opinions, beliefs or judgments are not the subject of refuting or proof” – emphasizes the author of the draft law.
According to Mykola Katerynchuk, “professional activities of a journalist cannot be a ground for his arrest, detention or removal of the collected, processed, prepared materials and equipment that he uses in his work. The state guarantees a journalist the appropriate response in case of the attacks on his life and health, honor, dignity, property rights and freedom”.
“The adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Protection of Journalists’ Professional Activity” will protect the legitimate rights and freedoms of journalists in carrying out their professional duties and complies with the guidelines and requirements of the European Union and the European Council legislation” – added Mykola Katerynchuk.
Press Service
European Party of Ukraine