Over 100 media workers in Ukraine, including 77 journalists became victims of physical harassment in 2020, according to a statement by Ukraine’s National Union of Journalists.
Compared to 86 attacks on media workers in 2019, violence increased last year because of quarantine-related psychological tension in society, the Union said.
The multitude of attacks is not surprising as the country has long suffered from widespread violations of the freedom of the press and abuse of journalists. Globally, Ukraine ranks 96th in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, presented annually by Reporters Without Borders.
Ukraine’s capital remains the most dangerous place for the media in Ukraine — 26 media workers were attacked in Kyiv Oblast just last year.
In second place was Odesa Oblast, with nine cases of assault. In August, members of the far-right nationalist party National Corps attacked a group of journalists from the ZIK television channel, which is owned by Ukrainian politician and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal friend, Viktor Medvedchuk.
Reporting on the adherence to quarantine measures was particularly dangerous last year. There were fourteen attacks on journalists who were shedding light on Ukrainians breaking lockdown rules.
In April, a Kyiv resident who was working out at an outdoor gym despite its closure attacked a journalist who tried asking him questions while filming. He pushed the reporter over and tried destroying his camera equipment.
In four cases, the perpetrators of violence against journalists were members of the police.
Journalist and director Taisia Kutuzova told local news publication “Graty” that she was attacked by a policeman in October, while she was working.
According to Kutuzova, she was asked to show her press card and explain on what grounds she was filming in that area. The policeman took her phone out of her hands and later broke her microphone.
Ukrainian law enforcement has been criticized because perpetrators rarely face any consequences. Many cases never end up reaching the courts.
In November, the Verkhovna Rada increased criminal liability for attacks on media workers and obstruction of their professional activity.
Attackers can now face up to four years in prison or fines. If the assault is carried out by a public official, they can be imprisoned for up to five years and banned from certain professional positions.
“Today in society there is no understanding of the essence of the profession and the importance of the mission performed by journalists. Harassment, deliberate intimidation, gross obstruction of professional activity for some is a kind of norm,” said National Union head Sergiy Tomilenko. “And this makes the profession of journalists dangerous.”
