Recently the charges against governmental bodies of Ukraine concerning infringement of freedom of the press, non-guarantees of appropriate investigation in cases of violence against journalists have been sounded even more from the international organizations and the world leading countries, especially from the countries of the European Union.
In particular, the OSCE representative on Freedom of Media Mrs. Dunja Mijatovic repeatedly made some statements with the specified charges against position of Ukrainian authorities on freedom of the press. She paid special attention on investigation in case of the journalist G.Gongadze, attacks on the chief editor of the printing edition “The Kolomojsky bulletin” V.Demjanov and the situation with the TV “5th channel” and the channel TVI.
As regards to the TV “5th channel”, there is strong need to clear up this situation. In spite of the fact that “the 5th channel” has won the previous tender for reception of corresponding frequencies the decision on this question was adopted in the absence of necessary quorum. This situation became a basis for conduction of re-tender. Therefore, the opposition “5th channel” lost its position. Thus, the question is raised: did any infringement of freedom of speech and the rights of the press take place? If the Channel management really is “fair”, why it did not demand to conduct quorum after the win of the tender? Why nowadays there are such questions on observance of legality not only by them, but also by representatives of the international and European organizations.
Certainly, we should not pay attention on the Ukrainian governmental authorities that keep mum instead of interpretation this situation, and ipso facto assist the distribution of the forged unilateral information. Under these circumstances, even the average Ukrainian citizen cannot understand what's happened, so representatives of other countries cannot or nevertheless do not want to understand and hear the truth? Do they hear what they want?
On the other hand, the position of the Ukrainian government has entirely been understood. There are many really important issues in the sphere of home and foreign policy, social welfare and economy which require the emergency decisions, so that there is no time to make excuses concerning indistinct charges.
At the same time, the visit of esteemed Mrs. D. Mijatovic to Ukraine in October took place under the invitation of the President V. Janukovich. Ukrainian authorities organized and held some meetings with all “leading sources”, giving all necessary information etc. During the visit in Ukraine, Mrs. D. Mijatovic made the statement on the existence of understanding the situation by the official Kyiv, understanding the importance of freedom of press. At the same time, it added that there is a risk that Ukraine will follow the negative path of development of media freedom. In this case, D. Mijatovic, has expressed readiness to assist Ukraine in this regard.
Concerning the attack on the editor-in-chief of “The Kolomojsky bulletin”, Mr. V.Demjanov, it is necessary to pay attention to some facts. Is there the only case of attacks on the journalists? Does it happen nowhere more? So, why “the fighters for freedom of speech” are sure that this attack is connected with the performance of editor’s activity in the newspaper. Doesn’t it happen with people of another occupation? What would not happen there, the investigation is continuing and the authorities are making the all efforts to solve the situation...
Thus, there is some impression about the activities of certain circles that have some goals to discredit Ukrainian government, to cause damage to the country’s authority in the world, first of all, through the worsening of relations with the EU countries and the USA. Thus it is surprised all of the aforesaid happens on the eve of the local elections in the Ukraine, that must take place in October 2010. There is such strange coincidence, isn’t it?!
At the same time, the reaction of Russia is ambiguous. It considers the coming elections as the serious challenge to Ukrainian governmental authorities (especially their political core - „Party of Regions”) with the leadership of the current President V. Janukovich in the context of present level of concentration of the power in the country, and the possible changes in the ruling coalition. In despite of that, the present Ukrainian authorities are considered as pro Russian. Taking into consideration that the delimitation of borders between both countries, the events around the law of the land sale that interests the Russian ruling industrial groups in respect of the further placing of own actives and capacities in Ukraine will depend on this.
In its turn, the USA tries to weaken the leading role of the Party of Regions and the Communists that are counted substantially as pro Russian political forces. The USA still stake on the latent support of the Ukrainian opposition. Therefore, in September 2010 it was spread the statements of the Undersecretary Mr. W.J. Burns that there is sufficiently proved concern about the freedom of speech, therefore the United States are going to protect these interests of the Ukrainian citizens.
Thus, the actual Ukrainian governmental authorities remain practically without external support, operate by their own strength, no wasting time and words on excuses concerning groundless charges. However, in this time the leading states and the international organizations, “fighters for justice”... We leave it on their conscience.