Under the current authorities, independent media experience the repeat of Kuchma-Yanukovych’s times that were fighting against the freedom of speech and any dissent. This was stated by the chairman of the UKROP political council, MP Taras Batenko in the program “Right to Rule” on the air of “1+1” TV channel.
“History repeats itself twice. First as a tragedy, second as a farce. Today, the independent TV channels experience the repeat of the times of Kuchma-Yanukovych, only in a more cynical and exquisite form,” said Taras Batenko.
The MP has noted that the difference is only in the fact that earlier the authorities used direct pressure on journalists, but now they are operating through different governmental bodies.
The National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting threatens TV channels with the denial of licenses, and law enforcement officers are accusing journalists of violating laws, up to accusations of treason due to resonant investigations of corruption schemes.
The National Bank has now become a new repressive instrument for fighting against dissent. According to Taras Batenko, the request for information from the bank accounts of the employees of the “1+1” TV channel is a revenge for journalistic investigations and criticism of the authorities.
“We have come to the moment when we have a quasi-regime, neither democratic nor authoritarian. As a result, we have quasi-authorities that cannot learn the mistakes of Kuchma and Yanukovych,” said the UKROP member.
According to Taras Batenko, freedom of speech of independent media in democratic countries is set equal to the protection of human rights. Instead, the law enforcement officers in Ukraine cannot even solve resonant murders of journalists.
“We are actually on thin ice, when we can lose the freedom of speech at all. This will result in a great tragedy,” summed up the MP.
