Sadly, journalists are either servants or enemies in this nation. These seem to be the two most common perceptions of these vital professionals. If they’re servants, they are told what to do by their owners and friends of their owners. The most recent examples is the change in management of Inter TV, one of the nation’s leading stations. Editorial policy now seems to support Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who waged a successful war against the channel’s owner.
Journalists who are seen as enemies can be insulted, demeaned, sued, assaulted – and worse.
While some of the reasons for the low status of journalism in Ukraine are rooted in Soviet history and present-day economic difficulties, journalists must also share part of the blame. They often display little understanding about the most basic journalistic ethical standards. They fail to cover both sides of the story and exchange favors for money. Loyalty that can be purchased is not respected.
This weekend, Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk is having his 6th annual Yalta conference, gathering national and international leaders. Many hand-picked journalists have accepted invitations to come and spend a long weekend on the Crimean southern coast, with wine and steak, all provided for free.
They justify the junket as an opportunity for interviews with high-profile people who are often inaccessible. They are right about that. But if they want respect as well as interviews, media should pay their own way to this conference and others. For those in power who don’t respect the importance of a free and thriving press, they should visit a nation that has one and witness the benefits to society.
