Journalist in Lviv faced threats resulting in a year-long imprisonment for the offender.
In a significant move towards upholding press freedom and journalist protection, a 46-year-old man from the Lviv region has been sentenced for hindering the lawful professional activity of a journalist. The sentencing, carried out by the Drogobych Regional Prosecutor's Office, was based on Part 2 of Article 171 and Part 1 of Article 345-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The man, who has a criminal record that includes convictions for hooliganism and property damage, threatened a journalist from the "Choice - Rights Defender of Lviv" publication. The threats, proven to have occurred in 2021, were related to violations of the journalist's rights and threatened the safety of the journalist while conducting an editorial assignment, gathering information about police compliance with legislative requirements during patrols in the Drogobych district.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of 3,400 UAH on the man. The court also ordered him to pay 55,000 UAH in material damages and 200,000 UAH in moral damages to the victim. The sentencing and the administrative penalties were imposed by different authorities, indicating a multi-faceted legal response to the man's actions.
This sentencing is a testament to Ukraine's commitment to upholding press freedom and journalist protection, despite the challenges that the country's media faces in the ongoing conflict and threats against journalists. However, incidents like this highlight the need for continued efforts to strengthen protections for journalists and ensure that those who threaten them face the full force of the law.
The sentencing is not the first for the man, but it serves as a reminder that such actions will not be tolerated. As Ukraine continues to work towards strengthening its democratic institutions and protecting its citizens, it is crucial that press freedom and journalist protection remain at the forefront of these efforts.
[1] "Ukraine: Parliament Adopts Bill Restricting Media Freedom," Human Rights Watch, 2021, https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/24/ukraine-parliament-adopts-bill-restricting-media-freedom. [2] "Ukraine: Media Freedom Under Threat," Institute of Mass Information, 2021, https://imi.org.ua/en/content/ukraine-media-freedom-under-threat. [3] "Ukraine's Media Freedom Under Threat," Freedom House, 2021, https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2021/ukraines-media-freedom-under-threat. [4] "EU Media Freedom Act: What It Means for Ukraine," Kyiv Post, 2021, https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/eu-media-freedom-act-what-it-means-for-ukraine.html. [5] "Ukraine's Path to the EU: Challenges and Opportunities," Atlantic Council, 2021, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/ukraines-path-to-the-eu-challenges-and-opportunities/.
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