The media's power is frail. Without the people's support, it can be
shut off with the ease of turning a light switch.   – Corazon Aquino

Europe & Eurasia

Ukraine

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}
 

IREX Score: 1.96 [IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}  


IREX Description:

Free speech was the last myth of the Orange Revolution to be shattered. In fact, as Radio Svoboda reporter Vitaliy Portnikov has said, under President Viktor Yushchenko conditions only simulated free media and encouraged oligarchic competition among them. Panelist Kostyantyn Kvurt, board chair of Internews-Ukraine, noted that Ukraine's imperfect attempt at democracy lacked the scaffolding of systematic changes, and rendered freedom of speech fragile regardless of who wins presidential elections. There were litmus tests signaling an authoritarian approach—such as several cases on the obstruction of professional activities of journalists, which were demonstratively investigated but closed. Kvurt added that the 2010 change in power was a trial of Ukrainian media's commitment to freedom and will to stand up for the public interest. The majority of media failed, but the resistance of some strong journalists, NGOs, and the international community played a positive role. Opinion polls reveal that Ukrainians are aware of the threats to the freedom of speech. Another sign of hope is that a growing number of citizens, currently estimated at 25 to 30 percent, are discovering truth and pluralism in the online press.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 56 (Partly Free) [Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}  


RSF Score: 46.83 [RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}  


 

Committee to Protect Journalists Description: [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?]

Top Developments
• Provincial reporters targeted in a series of attacks; editor reported missing.
• Television journalists continue to face heavy political influence.

Key Statistic
1: Mastermind identified in Gongadze murder. Prosecutors stir controversy by blaming only a dead official for the plot.

The disappearance of a critical editor, a series of violent attacks, and several instances of politicized government regulation fueled deteriorating press freedom conditions. Authorities brought charges against another suspect in the 2000 murder of editor Georgy Gongadze, but they ended their long investigation amid controversy by naming a dead official as the sole mastermind.

Visit CPJ’s Site for Recent Developments in this Country

IFEX News: [What is IFEX?]

Visit IFEX’s Site for Recent News on Media in this Country