You're reading: Verkhovna Rada to strengthen protection of journalists – bill

The Ukrainian parliament is planning to introduce criminal liability for the threats to kill journalists, as well as damage and destruction of their property, by adopting at first reading bill No. 4013 on amending laws strengthening guarantees for legal professional journalistic activity.

According to an Interfax-Ukraine reporter, the respective amendments
were supported at first reading by 232 out of the 273 MPs registered in
the session hall on Friday, Aug. 1.

The bill proposed by UDAR faction MP Valeriy Karpuntsov foresees that
a threat of murder, violence or destruction of property with regard to
journalists, their closest relatives and family members related to their
professional activity could be punished by imprisonment for a period of
three to seven years.

The deliberate infliction of light and moderate bodily injury on
journalists or their relatives could be punished by restriction of
freedom for two to five years or imprisonment for two to six years.

Threats made by representatives of law enforcement agencies or other
officials with respect to journalists might become a criminal offence
leading to imprisonment for a period of 5 to 12 years.

The premeditated destruction or damage of property belonging to
journalists or their closest relatives related to their professional
activity could be punished by a six-month arrest or imprisonment of up
to five years.

According to the proposed amendments, murder or attempted murder of
journalists or their relatives could be punished by imprisonment for 8
to 15 years or life imprisonment.

The taking hostage of journalists, their family members or closest relatives could be punished by 8-15 years in prison.

The authors of the bill proposed introducing a provision to the law
on support for the media and social protection of journalists, according
to which one-time financial assistance of 100 living wages will be
allocated from the budget to the families of journalists killed during
the fulfillment of their professional duties, and one-time financial
assistance of up to 50 living wages if a journalist is injured or
contused.