Editor’s note: These are the reactions to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to sanction three TV channels. The reactions ran as a sidebar in the Feb. 5 print issue of the Kyiv Post.
Matthew Schaaf,
head of Freedom House’s Ukrainian office
The blocking of Ukrainian TV channels by (Volodymyr) Zelensky is a major step. It’s hard to see how it could comply with international (freedom of expression) standards Ukraine has agreed to. Key to evaluating if sanctions against (Viktor) Medvedchuk’s TV stations pass human rights muster is how they make the case. So far official justification is thin.
Melinda Simmons,
U.K. ambassador to Ukraine
I welcome Zelensky’s bold action in tackling disinformation, which causes real harm to Ukraine. I also welcome his assurances on the need to protect media freedom and plurality.
Andy Hunder,
president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine
Bold move from Zelensky standing up to prevent disinformation from being deployed as a weapon in an info war against Ukraine.
Daria Kaleniuk,
executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center (ANTAC)
Freedom of speech doesn’t equal freedom to spread propaganda and disinformation. Especially if this is propaganda from your enemy, which runs a war against you. Therefore, Zelensky’s decision to sanction the propaganda empire of Viktor Medvedchuk is the very right one.
Danylo Getmantsev,
Servant of the People lawmaker, head of the parliament’s finance, taxation and customs committee
In my past life, I was “lucky” to defend the opposition TVi channel from attempts to close it down by the (ex-President Viktor) Yanukovych’s government.
In a few months, it rose from the being low-profile to becoming the country’s main news channel. I know for sure — the only predictable result of any media shutdown is the growth of its popularity.
A strange decision by the National Security and Defense Council that requires an explanation.
Anders Aslund,
economist, a senior fellow at Atlantic Council
To make this clear. Medvedchuk’s three TV channels in Ukraine have nothing to do with journalism but everything to do with Russian information warfare. The substantial funds needed must come from the Kremlin, for whom Medvedchuk has worked for at least 20 years.
