Parliament strengthens responsibility for obstructing journalists

The Parliament of Ukraine has voted for the amendments to the Criminal Code to strengthen responsibility for obstructing the work of journalists.

This is reported by the Ukrayinska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth) online newspaper.

The document stipulates that obstruction of journalists’ activity shall be considered the following:

– Unlawful seizure of materials, collected, processed, prepared by journalists, and technical tools used in connection with their professional activities;

– illegal denial of access of journalists to information;

– illegal ban on coverage of certain topics, certain individuals, criticism of officials;

– any other intentional obstruction of lawful professional activities of journalists.

Such actions shall be punished by a fine of up to 50 tax-exempt minimums, arrest for up to six months or imprisonment for up to three years.

The “influence of any form exerted on journalists to obstruct the performance of their professional duties or harassment of journalists” shall be punished by a fine of up to 200 tax-exempt minimums or arrest for up to six months.

If such actions are committed by officials, the fine could reach up to 500 tax-exempt minimums and imprisonment term could reach up to five years.