UKRAINE - 2019 INDEX MEDIA - IREX
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UKRAINE
MEDIA
SUSTAINABILITY
INDEX
2019
Tracking Development
of Sustainable
Independent Media
Around the WorldUKRAINE
AT A G L A N C E
GENERAL MEDIA-SPECIFIC
▶▶Population: 43,952,299 (CIA World Factbook, July less than a quarter of the country’s population, ▶▶Number of active print outlets, radio stations, ▶▶Broadcast ratings: Top television broadcasters
2018 est.) the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church accounts for television stations, Internet news portals: Print: (all private): Kanal Ukraina, 1+1, ICTV, Inter, STB,
8‒10%, and the UAOC accounts for 1‒2%; Muslim 3,349 subscription titles—2,292 newspapers and Novyi Kanal (all private, ITC, Nielsen television
▶▶Capital city: Kyiv
and Jewish adherents each compose less than 1% 1,057 magazines (Ukrposhta data, catalogue for panel, December 2018), audience 4+ y.o., all
▶▶Ethnic groups (% of population): Ukrainian of the total population. (CIA World Factbook, 2013 2018), plus roughly a thousand more periodicals Ukraine) http://tampanel.com.ua/rubrics/canals/
77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan est.) in single-copy sales only, the same ratio between
0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%,
▶▶Top network radio broadcasters (all private):
newspapers (68%) and magazines (one-third) (by
Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%,
▶▶Languages (% of population): Armenian Hit FM, Radio Pyatnytsya, Lux FM, Shanson,
UAMB expert estimate); Television: 28 national
Ukrainian (official) 67.5%, Russian (regional Russkoe Radio Ukraina, (all private, Kantar TNS
Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (CIA World Factbook, television broadcasters, 81 regional television
language) 29.6%, other (includes small Ukraine, Reach, 12‒65 y.o., cities 50+, third
2001 est.) broadcasters, and 124 satellite television
Crimean Tatar‒, Moldovan/Romanian-, and quarter of 2018) http://sostav.ua/publication/
▶▶Religions (% of population): Orthodox channels; Radio: 16 national radio channels,
Hungarian-speaking minorities) 2.9% (CIA World dani-radioslukhannya-v-ukrajini-tretya-khvilya-dos-
(includes Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 39 regional radio channels, and 8 satellite
Factbook, 2001 est.) lidzhennya-2018-roku-80226.html
[UAOC], Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate radio stations (National Television and Radio
[UOC-KP], Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow
▶▶GNI (2017 - Atlas): $101.55 billion (World Bank Broadcasting Council, 2018) https://www.nrada. ▶▶News agencies: UNIA Ukrinform (state-owned),
Development Indicators, 2017) gov.ua/reports/ Interfax (private), UNIAN (private),
Patriarchate [UOC-MP]), Ukrainian Greek
LigaBiznesInforn (private), Ukrainski Novyny
Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, ▶▶GNI per capita (2017 - PPP): $8,900 (World ▶▶Newspaper circulation statistics: The top (private), Ukrainian National News (private),
Muslim, Jewish. Note: Ukraine’s population is Bank Development Indicators, 2017) four newspapers (all private): Segodnya,
RBC-Ukraine (private)
overwhelmingly Christian. The vast majority—up Vesti, Fakty I Kommentarii, Argumenty I Fakty
▶▶Literacy rate: 99.8% (male 99.8%, female 99.7%)
to two-thirds—identify themselves as Orthodox,
(CIA World Factbook, 2015 est.) (Ukraine) (Media Consumption Survey in ▶▶Annual advertising revenue in media sector:
but many do not specify a particular branch. The Ukraine 2018) https://internews.in.ua/wp-content/ Television: UAH 9.27 billion ($344,691,000); Print:
UOC-KP and the UOC-MP each represent ▶▶President or top authority: President Petro uploads/2018/09/2018-MediaConsumSurvey_eng_ UAH 1.612 billion ($59,939,900); Radio: UAH
Poroshenko (since June 7, 2014) FIN.pdf 578 million ($21,533,500); Internet: UAH 2.52
billion ($93,883,000) (All-Ukrainian Advertising
Coalition, 2018 est.)
MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX: UKRAINE
SCORE KEY
Unsustainable, Anti-Free Press (0–1): Country does not
SUSTAINABLE
meet or only minimally meets objectives. Government and
laws actively hinder free media development, professionalism
is low, and media-industry activity is minimal.
Unsustainable Mixed System (1–2): Country minimally
SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
meets objectives, with segments of the legal system and
NEAR
government opposed to a free media system. Evident progress
2.54
2.48
in free-press advocacy, increased professionalism, and new
2.36
2.37
2.36
2.35
2.38
2.33
2.32
2.32
2.27
2.24
media businesses may be too recent to judge sustainability.
2.11
2.11
2.09
2.01
UNSUSTAINABLE
MIXED SYSTEM
1.91
Near Sustainability (2–3): Country has progressed in meeting
1.87
1.86
1.85
1.84
multiple objectives, with legal norms, professionalism, and the
1.66
1.62
1.57
1.55
business environment supportive of independent media. Advances
1.48
1.47
1.44
1.40
1.39
have survived changes in government and have been codified in
law and practice. However, more time may be needed to ensure
ANTI-FREE PRESS
UNSUSTAINABLE
that change is enduring and that increased professionalism
and the media business environment are sustainable.
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Sustainable (3–4): Country has media that are considered
generally professional, free, and sustainable, or to be approaching
FREE PROFESSIONAL PLURALITY OF BUSINESS SUPPORTING
SPEECH JOURNALISM NEWS SOURCES MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS these objectives. Systems supporting independent media
have survived multiple governments, economic fluctuations,
OBJECTIVES and changes in public opinion or social conventions.
Scores for all years may be found online at https://www.irex.org/msiU
kraine’s media sector is quickly entering an owners’ interests, as well as the poor, oversaturated, distorted
OVERALL important election cycle with presidential and media market and a lack of self-regulation. Poor political
SCORE parliamentary elections in 2019 and local elections will and sabotage by law-enforcement and judicial bodies
2.09 in 2020—but it is saddled with the same chronic
diseases it has had for many years running.
Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the
undermine the application of sound legislation and augment
impunity for crimes against journalists.
The public broadcaster shows stable editorial independence,
armed conflict in Donbas have dragged on for five years but its development is threatened by the state’s regular
Ukraine’s overall score rose now. A handful of oligarchs own the dominant news underfunding of it. Despite slight improvements, the media’s
marginally this year, but it source—mainstream national television channels—and use professionalism and management remain unsustainable.
remains in the near sustainability their media for political purposes. Numerous unreliable, Ukraine’s economy is gradually improving but has not yet
MSI classification. Objective manipulative online sources and social networks complement rebounded to the level of 2013. In 2018, Ukraine faced the
1 (Freedom of Speech) and these outlets, while the Zeonbud monopoly threatens the long-awaited digital broadcasting switchover and introduction
Objective 2 (Professional country’s information security. Despite restrictions on of 4G, but some regional broadcasters were denied digital
Journalism) saw decreases. Russian Federation media in Ukraine, media monitoring licenses.
Panelists attributed the declining has documented frequent Russian propaganda on outlets
Many Ukrainian media profit from jeansa, which the industry
scores to low professional and within the country, including on Strana.ua, Vesti, 112 Ukraina,
seems to accept as inevitable and justified economically. At
ethical standards, along with NewsOne, and Inter. The threat that Russian messages will
the opening of a new five-year USAID-funded media program
self-censorship in journalism; spread during the 2019 elections as jeansa (commissioned
in Ukraine, Tomas Fiala, a Novoe Vremya investor, said that
economic and editorial stories and hidden advertising) from certain Ukrainian
Ukraine is the only country he knows where media hugely
dependence of major media politicians and parties is expected. The state seems to lack
influence and are monetized by politics; he expressed
on their owners’ interests; an political will to properly counter Kremlin-supported agents of
amazement over the media’s tolerance to jeansa. Yulia
oversaturated media market; influence.
Mostova, Dzerkalo Tyzhnya’s editor-in-chief, said, “There is no
and a lack of self-regulation. The panelists explained low professional and ethical economic basis for the survival of media in an honest and
standards, along with self-censorship in journalism, by the open way. The economy does not produce necessary volumes
economic and editorial dependence of major media on their of goods that require advertising.”
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MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
OBJECTIVE 1: human rights violations in cases of actual threat to issue. At the time this Media Sustainability Index
FREEDOM OF
SPEECH
2.38 somebody’s life—for instance, due to deportation
or an acute need for medical treatment. Sedletska,
(MSI) study was written, the NSDC had yet to make
a decision. Some parliamentarians also called for
the editor-in-chief of the Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sanctions on Inter, another pro-Russian channel, and
Oleg Khomenok, a senior media advisor at investigative reporting program Skhemy (Schemes), to investigate Ukrainian politician and oligarch Viktor
Internews, summed up the whole Objective 1 had been interrogated as a witness in criminal Medvedchuk’s activities.
pessimistically: “Political influence and corruption proceedings against Artem Sytnyk, the chair of the Balancing national security and freedom of
have won the struggle for free speech between National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. She speech poses a challenge for Ukraine. Under the
patriotism and the rule of law.” cited her right to protect her sources in refusing law, only a court can revoke a broadcasting license.
to provide information requested. In turn, the PGO Numerous lawsuits seeking to annul 112 Ukraina’s
Legal provisions protecting free speech are strong, obtained a court decision in Kyiv to access data licenses have been ongoing for several years. Media
but their poor application and societal reaction draw from the Kyivstar mobile operator on all calls, experts argue that the ineffective performance of
criticism. “Generally, aggression in the society is messages, and geolocator pings from her telephone the National Television and Radio Broadcasting
growing, as law-enforcement bodies are paralyzed,” for 17 months, starting in mid-2016. A similar court Council (NTRBC) exacerbates the situation. Analysts
said Kostyantyn Kvurt, board chair of Internews- decision was obtained for Berdynskykh, a Novoe acknowledge, though, that action taken against
Ukraine, adding, “In the course of reform, the Vremya journalist. Sedletska’s lawyers stressed in pro-Russian propagandists could also create a
law-enforcement bodies sabotage investigations their ECHR petition that the PGO’s demands were dangerous precedent for similar tools to be used
of both journalists’ and average citizens’ rights excessive, given that Sedletska or her team might selectively against independent media.
violations. Only those who are better organized and have been in contact with their sources for other Kateryna Dyachuk, a chief of the free speech
more resourceful—i.e., business and politicians—are investigations, which could be put at risk. Due to monitoring department at the Institute of Mass
able to protect themselves. Societal interests are ECHR interference, the PGO dropped its request for Information (IMI), said that pro-Kremlin media—such
under threat as a result. Violations of journalists’ data from Berdynskykh’s telephone as well. as NewsOne television channel, strana.ua news
and citizens’ rights are not of a systematic and Sergiy Tomilenko, chair of the National Union site, and others—abuse constitutional guarantees of
centralized nature, but anarchy, incompetence, of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), agreed with free speech in Ukraine. Although the state does not
laziness, and fear of responsibility of the Ukrainian Sydorenko about the lack of rule of law inside the regulate this under the law, draft laws have been
politicians and state officials are threatening freedom country. He added that parliament’s request that the submitted to restrict hate speech in the media.
of speech, press, and society as a whole.” National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine In 2018, the parliamentary committee on
Sergiy Sydorenko, editor of the news website (NSDC) impose sanctions on seven companies freedom of speech and information policy advanced
Europeyska Pravda, brought up the attempt by owning Ukrainian television channels 112 Ukraina several amendments to protect Ukraine’s information
the prosecutor general’s office (PGO) to force and NewsOne is obvious political interference. In space and counter fake news. However, it failed to
journalists, including Natalia Sedletska and Kristina October 2018, the lawmakers sought to halt their secure a vote for amendments on the destatization
Berdynskykh, to disclose their sources. In an unprec- broadcasting by freezing their assets and annulling of print media law, a ban to check media during
edented move in September, the European Court their broadcasting licenses, as these channels had elections, and the long-awaited law on audiovisual
of Human Rights (ECHR), rather than any Ukrainian come under the control of Ukrainian oligarchs services. It also works to achieve infrastructural
authority, stepped in to reinforce their protection. and were directly lobbying for Russian interests access to Ukrainian media after the analog signal
The ECHR urgently intervened to protect the and disseminating destructive propaganda. A turnoff and funds for facilities to neutralize Russian
journalists’ right not to disclose their sources under public petition calling for the suspension of these broadcasting. One member, Grygoriy Shverk,
Rule 39, which is usually applied by the court for anti-Ukrainian channels collected more than 25,000 believes that the committee needs parliament’s
a government to take urgent measures to prevent signatures, compelling parliament to debate the approval to expand the NTRBC’s authority to
4
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
impose sanctions against media that deny Russian that later became the national channel 112 Ukraina. license to Hromadske Radio, an independent news
aggression and use hate speech. Their licenses expired in September 2018, but the radio in Lutsk, and Kryvyi Rih—giving preference to
Summer 2018 brought another attempt to adopt NTRBC purposely delayed consideration of the issue music radio instead. Matsuka mentioned that the
a law on countering threats to national security in until the court issued a ban refusing to extend these newly founded state Donechchyna TV obtained a
the information sphere, which would allow websites licenses. “This showed that 112 Ukraina channel, license within a week—extremely fast. Kvurt said
to be blocked for 48 hours without a court decision. despite all speculations about its closure, has been his sources told him the NTRBC has started to pay
Experts from the nongovernmental organization backed at the highest political level, which decided more attention to the financial and organizational
(NGO) Digital Security Lab commented that blocking instead of the regulatory body that these disputed capacity of broadcasters in its licensing decisions.
should not happen without proper verification that a licenses would remain at its disposal. In addition to There are no business taxes that discriminate
certain website poses a danger. The relevant parlia- digital licenses, 112 Ukraina has a satellite license against media; in fact, the industry enjoys some
mentary committee eventually rejected the law, which is not under threat at all,” she added. privileges, such as a value-added tax (VAT)
but for security reasons a new law was needed to Yulia Vynokur, general director of TV-4 exemption on print media subscription sales. Since
regulate the issue of online propaganda. Most media Television Company in Ternopil, said that the 2019 2018, television channels have benefited from a
and human rights NGOs have criticized this draft elections may influence the NTRBC membership five-year exemption of VAT and customs duties
law as antidemocratic, although some do support (the president appoints half of the members, and for original productions under the law promoting
transparent legal restrictions of access to Internet parliament the rest). However, she had hoped Ukrainian film production and distribution.
resources belonging to or financed by an aggressor that this council would have solved the trouble of Despite decent legislative protections for
country—for instance, by court decision. Others regional broadcasters denied digital licenses after journalists, crimes against journalists have not been
support marking such pages as propaganda rather the full analog turnoff. She pointed to Chernivtsi properly investigated and prosecuted, said Ihor
than blocking them. Television and Radio Company as an example. Their Rozkladay, a lawyer of the Center for Democracy
In May, the president’s administration issued an previous license granted an automatic transfer and Rule of Law (CEDEM). Anna Skrypnyk, director
updated list of 1,748 sanctioned Russian individuals to the digital license—but they were denied. The of the Sigma Television and Radio company, believes
and 756 sanctioned legal entities. The majority of broadcaster took the issue to court; it went all the that crimes against journalists obtain more attention
media on the list, banned by then for three years, way to the European Court of Human Rights—and thanks to growing civic awareness of Ukrainians,
include the Russian federal television companies was expected to win the case at the time the MSI but the crimes go unpunished. Sydorenko feels
NTV and Pervyi Kanal, along with TNT, REN-TV, was written. that society tolerates interference with the work
Russia-24, VGTRK, Zvezda Russian Ministry of Zakusylo pointed out that the regulatory of journalists due to the general decline of trust in
Defense channel, 5 kanal of St. Petersburg, and body has grown more and more dependent on journalism.
Public Broadcasting of Russia. RozBiznesConsulting political influence and does not prioritize the public According to Volodymyr Torbich, editor-
(RBC) did not appear on the 2018 list. interest. In addition to public broadcasting, priority in-chief of the Rivne Investigative Reporting Agency
Ukraine’s online media face no registration is given to the new state-owned (such as Armiya Chetverta Vlada—whose newsroom was torched
requirements, and the Ministry of Justice easily FM—a Ministry of Defense radio station) and in February 2018—crimes against journalists
registers print media and information agencies. The municipal broadcasters. Having lost control over the are increasing because perpetrators are held
NTRBC issues broadcast licenses. public broadcaster, the government seems to be accountable too rarely. In his newsroom’s case,
Maryana Zakusylo, editor-in-chief of Detector creating alternatives. Priority is also given to some it is extremely unlikely that the arsonists will be
Media (DM), said the NTRBC has not yet resolved commercial media holdings, such as Pryamyi Kanal prosecuted. Even the accountability of perpetrators
the flagrant violation of the rights of 100 regional and its daughter radio station, Pryamyi FM, or the is in question; however, they were arrested, and
and local broadcasters from 2011, when frequencies Tavr-Media radio group. court hearings were scheduled to begin in January
allotted to them were given to several companies Tomilenko agreed that the regulator refused a 2019. Furthermore, Torbich added, journalists from
5
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
the Anticorruption Monitoring NGO had to cease it to the court is low, as law enforcement officers documented more than 160 incidents of physical
operations in March 2018 after someone set fire to lack the desire or professionalism to properly aggression toward journalists since the beginning
the doors of the apartment where the organization is prepare cases for court. “They have to prove that of 2017. According to the National Police’s formal
registered. it was a journalist, performing their professional reply, only 10 percent of such cases reach the court.
The IMI counted 235 press freedom violations duties, and the malice of a perpetrator—which is Additionally, there are no precedents of properly
in unoccupied parts of Ukraine in 2018, compared too hard and complicated. Often, journalists have to punished perpetrators, such as cases related to the
with 281 cases the previous year. Physical prove that they are true journalists—especially those brutal beating of journalists during the Euromaidan
aggression in the form of threats (33 cases) and working for online media, which are not legally protests in 2013-2014. “I assume the government is
attacks (31 cases) along with preventing journalists regulated. Nonetheless, attacks on journalists of not interested in protecting journalists and punishing
from carrying out their professional activities (96 famous television channels have not been properly the assailants in order to rely on physical aggression
cases) proved the most common violations in 2018, investigated, either,” she added. against journalists during the upcoming elections,”
especially in the first half of the year. A severe attack IMI Executive Director Oksana Romanyuk noted Tomilenko said.
on an activist from Kherson, Kateryna Gandzuyk, that the Council on Protecting Professional Activities
who died in November 2018 after being splashed of Journalists and Freedom of Speech has not
with sulfuric acid in July 2018, may have had a convened since the beginning of 2018. Set up by the Legal and social norms protect and promote
chilling effect on regional journalists criticizing the president in February 2016, it used to meet quarterly.
free speech and access to public information.
government, IMI reasoned. The number of investigations has sputtered and FREE-SPEECH INDICATORS
IMI also tracked 19 cases of denied access stalled to a stop, according to Romanyuk. ▶Legal
▶ and social ▶Libel
▶ is a civil law issue;
to public information and 15 cyberattacks. The On the International Day of Impunity, Ukrainian protections of free public officials are held
assailants were primarily average citizens, as well as media organizations called on the government speech exist and to higher standards,
are enforced. and offended parties
national and local government and law-enforcement to properly investigate and prosecute those who
must prove falsity
officials. The regions with the most violations were commit crimes against journalists. They also ▶Licensing
▶ of broadcast and malice.
Kyiv and its oblast (97 cases), followed by Mykolayv highlighted the dangerous situation of independent media is fair, competitive,
and apolitical. ▶Public
▶ information
(16), Dnipro and Poltava (12), Odessa (11), and Lviv journalists in annexed Crimea and occupied Donbas: is easily accessible;
(10). Two cases were registered in occupied Donbas, Stanyslav Aseyev, captured in 2017 by combatants ▶Market
▶ entry and tax right of access to
structure for media are
and 12 in illegally annexed Crimea.1 in Donbas; Mykola Semena, under probation and information is equally
fair and comparable enforced for all media
Dyachuk commented that journalists do not banned from professional activity in Crimea; and to other industries. and journalists.
feel safe in the country. Despite the criminalization of Roman Suschenko, sentenced to 12 years impris-
▶Crimes
▶ against ▶Media
▶ outlets have
violence and threats against journalists, their families, onment in Russia for espionage. journalists or media unrestricted access
and their property arising from their professional Since mid-2017 the NUJU, along with four other outlets are prosecuted to information; this is
activities in 2015, the system breaks down at the NGOs, has conducted its alternative index of physical vigorously, but equally enforced for all
occurrences of such
pretrial investigation stage. Investigators often close security of journalists; it presented its methodology media and journalists.
crimes are rare.
criminal cases without even notifying journalists who in April 2018. In March, eight leading media organi- ▶Entry
▶ into the
have been victimized. The share of cases that make zations openly expressed their distrust of NUJU’s ▶State
▶ or public media do journalism profession
not receive preferential is free, and government
management and the index’s methodology, primarily legal treatment, and
1 “235 Violations of Freedom of Speech Were Recorded in imposes no licensing,
for including cases on NUJU members who may law guarantees editorial
Ukraine in 2018 – IMI Study.” Institute of Mass Information, restrictions, or special
not be journalists at all. Tomilenko said that the independence. rights for journalists.
January 17, 2019. Accessed February 20, 2019: https://
imi.org.ua/news/235-porushen-svobody-slova-zafiksova- physical insecurity of journalists has grown extreme
no-v-ukraini-u-2018-rotsi-doslidzhennia-imi/. and impunity has become systemic; NUJU’s index
6
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
Khomenok mentioned that the pre-arranged ($30,853,700) less than the sum specified under law. 20 against journalists and civic activists since 2017.
murder of Russian journalist Arkadiy Babchenko did The UA:PBC Chair Zurab Alasania complained that Although he either loses them or does not show up
cause outrage in society, but further actions of the with 2018’s debts to be covered, the 2019 budget is in court, he keeps journalists on edge. The courts
Ukrainian law enforcement bodies did not add trust effectively even lower, threatening regional public also accept lawsuits for Facebook posts.
and carried a whiff of manipulation. broadcasting affiliates with closure. Vynokur added that the author and site owner
The former head of the Independent Media Kvurt mentioned that parliament denied are liable for publication of false or defamatory
Trade Union (IMTU), Sergiy Guz, named several UA:PBC proper funding for refusing to provide content. However, any plaintiff must fully identify
challenges for journalists. Investigative reporters 20-minute spots of broadcasting to each MP. them to bring a claim—a process that can be
often clash with security services and law-en- Sydorenko praised the enduring sustainability of complicated due to lack of transparency in online
forcement bodies. Journalists face organized attacks UA:PBC’s independent editorial policy despite such media ownership.
from “troll factories,” or they might be accused, often maneuvers. “The government wants to influence it Sydorenko stressed that access to public
emotionally and without facts, of pro-Kremlin or but cannot,” he said. information worsened in 2018. Pankratova confirmed
pro-government positions. The pressure can be so The three-year print media destatization that despite solid legislation and a progressive
high that a journalist has to choose between their reform aiming to decrease state interference with stance by the courts, technical reasons impede
profession and their personal security. media ended in December 2018 with 402 municipal access. Journalists may appeal rejections but must
Editorial boards have never protected the newspapers (60 percent) and 23 state publications pay a court fee, from UAH 700 ($26) for individuals
independence of private or state media. Their (25 percent) having been privatized. Some more or up to UAH 1700 ($64) for legal entities. These
owners and funders, as well as the government, may finish re-registration in early 2019. Authorities fees are proving to be a real deterrent; she noticed
routinely interfere with editorial policy. The National unwilling to let media go slowed down the reform a substantial drop in the number of lawsuits since
Public Broadcasting Company (UA:PBC) was set up effort, followed by editors and newsroom teams 2016, and authorities use the prospect of these court
in early 2017, with management hired competitively worried about losing their jobs. Attempts to amend fees to withhold information from journalists and
and transparently, and supervisory and editorial the law to prolong the term, provide funding, or ease media outlets.
boards to ensure its editorial independence. Yet re-registration failed.
amid important structural and content changes, the Libel has been considered a civil law issue
public broadcaster remains underfinanced, despite since 2001. Defamation is a matter of civil law;
“I assume the government is not interested
proper funding from the state budget specified plaintiffs must prove that journalists purposely in protecting journalists and punishing
under law. The government should have allocated disseminated defamatory information and malice. the assailants in order to rely on physical
UAH 1.5 billion ($57,136,400) for it in 2018; but, in fact, Rozkladay mentioned an attempt to criminalize libel
parliament cut the sum in half for UA:PBC, leaving in November 2018—which the relevant committee
aggression against journalists during the
it with a critical deficit toward the end of 2018. The swiftly rejected. Lyudmyla Pankratova, a media upcoming elections,” Tomilenko said.
threat has been obvious since the beginning of 2018, lawyer with the Regional Press Development
and UA:PBC submitted numerous petitions to the Institute (RPDI), confirmed that regularly—once every Administrative prosecution also has become
relevant authorities—but Ukrainian media experts two to three years since 2001—someone submits a less effective since the new ombudsperson,
see political forces at work, especially ahead of the draft law to criminalize libel. Lyudmyla Denysova, was appointed in March
2019 elections. On September 25, 2018, the state Despite many lawsuits requesting high 2018; she is considered less knowledgeable and
operator switched off the signal of UA:PBC across damages filed recently, the courts tend to deny active in using this mechanism. Torbich confirmed
Ukraine due to its debt of almost UAH 70 million these sums, Pankratova said. For example, Pavlo that Denysova denied—for unlawful reasons—the
($2,666,370). For the year 2019, parliament voted Demchyna, deputy head of the Security Service of complaint of a journalist denied information by
for UAH 1.005 billion ($38,281,400), UAH 810 million Ukraine, regularly files lawsuits—he has filed over a local municipal enterprise. The head of Rivne
7
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
oblast’s administration refused, following the citing such sources. Dyachuk praised the Ukrainian Skrypnyk said that media’s financial
journalist’s investigation, to comment or provide journalists who are starting to translate and use dependence on owners is the foremost factor
any information verbally to the Chetverta Vlada more western news sources; previously, they skewing balance in journalism. A majority of
journalists. typically used distorted translations by inosmi.ru. Ukrainian media are financially dependent, and
Pankratova added, however, that Ukraine Entry into the profession is free, with no with the drastic reduction in advertising revenues
should be proud of numerous public databases now licensing requirement. The panelists noted that in recent years, she noted that television channels
available in machine-readable format online, such anyone off the street can become a journalist. Press can barely cover their expenses and equipment
as company registers, real estate, court decisions, cards are easy to obtain or falsify, and as a result upgrades. “The deficit is covered by owners who
e-procurement, and state treasury transactions. the industry faces a great challenge of trust and can influence the content,” she said. Tomilenko
The minister of justice’s April 2018 signing of needs self-regulation in determining who merits the agreed that politicians and businessmen consider
the Council of Europe 2009 Tromso Convention on title of journalist. Moreover, in a mid-2018 discussion media a political tool, and therefore many media
Access to Official Documents, which recognizes with NUJU, DM Chair Natalia Lygachova insisted are founded to wield political influence, not to make
a general right of access to official documents that journalism rights and protection should not a profit on honest journalism. “Although jeansa is
held by public authorities, marked another positive cover manipulators and propagandists hiding under a chronic disease of Ukrainian media, there are
development involving access to public information. the mask of a media employee. Professional media certain red lines,” said Tomilenko. He cited the online
However, panelists noted that it needs to be further organizations, she said, should condemn such cases; discussion of Ternopil editors who refused to place
ratified by the Ukrainian parliament. otherwise, they provoke more physical aggression stories discrediting Anatoliy Grytsenko, a presidential
A recent law obligates local authorities to toward journalists and distrust of the media. candidate, offered by an advertising agency.
publish their budgets online. Skrypnyk said that However, they placed softer, commissioned stories
local governments have become more transparent on the other candidate.
in recent years; however, top local officials still have OBJECTIVE 2 : According to Kvurt, low professionalism,
sufficient administrative resources to limit access for PROFESSIONAL
JOURNALISM
1.84 laziness, and corruption continue, and self-regulation
“disagreeable” journalists. One town in the Dnipro is not working. Kvurt traces the vacuum of profes-
region introduced accreditation to limit access for sional standards to 2006, when media organizations
certain journalists, but Pankratova said it is easy to Compliance with professional standards began suspended trainings on standards and a new style
appeal that because, by law, accreditation is a tool to sink with the approach to 2019 elections, of political talk shows emerged. Savik Shuster talk
without teeth. according to Zakusylo—and owners’ interests shows started to convert politics into entertainment,
Dyachuk mentioned an incident involving a dictate television content. “Once conflict between introducing the Russian meme of the “buffoonery of
journalist barred from a session in Kropyvnytskiy city a media owner and the government or other Ukrainian politics.”
for being late; the next day all the journalists showed oligarchs intensifies, it becomes very obvious on Dyachuk said the quality of news in Ukraine is
solidarity with him and arrived late together. TV,” she said, singling out 1+1, Ukraina, and Inter not perfect, pointing to the lack of balance. News
Media outlets have access to and use local and channels as prime examples. is often copied and pasted from other media or
international news and news sources. The panelists social networks, and it is not usually verified or
agreed unanimously that access is restricted by DM continued to monitor professional daily news fact-checked, she said. In a recent scandal, for
sanctions—not to Russian media, but to the means standards and look for commissioned stories example, major media republished the post of a
of mass propaganda that threaten Ukrainian (or “parquet” news that promotes officials and student who accused a police chief she met on
security—although journalists can overcome these politicians) at seven national television stations: Inter, Tinder of harassment, without any verification or
restrictions by using a virtual private network Ukraina, 1+1, ICTV, 5 kanal, STB, and UA:First (the providing the opposite point of view. It turned out
(VPN). No punishment is stipulated for using and national channel of UA:PBC). to be a provocation by two other people against
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MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
the policeman’s wife, who is the deputy head of the “High Journalism Standards” awards, founded by 2018. Sydorenko is optimistic that many previously
State Bureau of Investigation. Vitaliy Lomakovych’s “The Dreams Come True” apathetic journalists now discuss ethical standards
In October 2018, the editor-in-chief of Vogue charity with the Ukrainian Catholic University: as they relate to the Roma or other sensitive groups.
in Ukraine was caught up in accusations of Evropeyska Pravda, Bihus.Info, VoxUkraine along Matsuka mentioned that journalists attending
plagiarism in her column; it was similar to one with the regional projects Nakipelo (Kharkiv) Donbas Media Forum actively discuss and are
published in Russian Bazaar over a decade ago. Crimean Tatars (Crimea), and the investigative interested in learning the regulated principles of
After people found more plagiarism in her work reporting agency Chetverta Vlada (Rivne). coverage and the definition of hate speech, and
for Vogue and Kommersant, she admitted that Zakusylo noted that advertisers prefer not to they care about conflict-sensitive reporting—a
she used ghostwriters, whom she blamed for the mark their advertising, and the media market is too demand that must be satisfied. Pankratova also
transgressions. Following pressure from the media weak to refuse jeansa offers. The panelists could sees movement toward ethical codes, with support
community over the unprofessional and illegal name only a few media that do not publish jeansa: from the Independent Media Council (IMC) and the
conduct, Vogue eventually fired her. UA:PBC news, Economichna Pravda, and Liga. Commission of Journalism Ethics (CJE). However, the
Almost two hundred media outlets, including net. Zakusylo recalled that Yulia Mostova, editor- mainstream channels failed to fully agree on joint
news agencies and television channels, published in-chief of Dzerkalo Tyzhnya, stated at a recent self-regulatory rules to report on sexually abused
fake news about a ball-lightning invasion based on public discussion that her publication does not print children in 2016 and suicide in 2017. Inter did not
a mock press release signed by a made-up organi- commissioned stories in the politics section and that sign the first rules, and 1+1 refused the second set.
zation on oceans and atmosphere. It was sent out the country’s economy cannot support too many
on purpose, as a test, by Alyona Romanyuk from media. Kvurt noted that nobody actively disagreed
RPDI within a German-funded project on media with that at the discussion, but that a majority
Journalism meets professional
literacy. The Obozrevatel website even prepared agree that jeansa is inevitable and that elections
standards of quality.
informational graphics for this news. Only a few tried are for media to make money on—which distorts
to verify the information.2 democratic processes. Skrypnyk said many media PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM INDICATORS
Telebachennya Toronto—a YouTube channel of literacy programs in Ukraine teach critical thinking; ▶Reporting
▶ is fair, ▶Entertainment
▶
the famous journalist Roman Vintoniv—also arranged other panelists agree but believe it is a long road to objective, and programming does
an experiment with fake news about a deadly social fight jeansa and propaganda. well sourced. not eclipse news
and information
media game for children. It got 17,000 reposts and Pankratova feels that jeansa will persist until ▶Journalists
▶ follow programming.
reached a million in a week. measures, such as fines, are introduced—and that recognized and accepted
ethical standards. ▶Technical
▶ facilities
The panelists held up the public broadcaster if jeansa is considered corrupt, then punishments and equipment for
UA:First and the journalism NGO Hromadske.ua should be introduced. Dyachuk noted that jeansa is ▶Journalists
▶ and editors gathering, producing,
do not practice
as examples of balanced outlets. They also named so well-processed and sophisticated now that it is and distributing
self-censorship. news are modern
the Ukrainska Pravda group, Liga.net, the state sometimes hard to distinguish from true journalism.
▶Journalists
▶ cover key and efficient.
agency Ukrinform, and Hromadske.ua as balanced Some media, Matsuka noted, are set up to make
events and issues. ▶Quality
▶ niche reporting
nationwide online publications. Other reliable media money on jeansa and commissioned stories rather
▶Pay
▶ levels for journalists and programming
projects were named as semifinalists in the 2018 than serve public interests.
and other media exists (investigative,
Journalists ignore ethical standards. Zakusylo economics/business,
professionals are
2 “Як Сотні Медіа В Гонитві За Кульовими Блискавками pointed to one of the most flagrant cases, when sufficiently high to local, political).
Запустили Фейк.” Detector Media, September 14, 2018. ICTV journalists pre-arranged an attack by far-right discourage corruption.
Accessed February 19, 2019: https://detector.media/
infospace/article/140132/2018-08-14-yak-sotni-media-v-
radicals on a Roma camp to shoot the staging of
gonitvi-za-kulovimi-bliskavkami-zapustili-feik/. a massacre for “Nadzvychayni Novyny” in June
9
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
Self-censorship is embedded in Ukrainian the municipal broadcasters (paid by their taxes),” she increased in number. Vynokur agreed that news and
media and largely depends on owner’s priorities explained, adding that municipal media dispropor- entertainment is balanced. “Probably the increase in
in economic and political areas, according to tionately publish “parquet” news at the expense of the number of news and informational programs will
Dyachuk. Khomenok connects self-censorship and truly important issues. not be in favor of the channels. For instance, news
the suppression of certain topics to opportunities According to Vynokur, media cover main radio 24, now renamed Radio Maximum, does not
to earn or to lose money, physical punishment, events, regardless of ownership—but it is much draw high ratings,” she said.
or low professionalism. Matsuka acknowledged easier for bloggers and online publications to The panelists generally agreed that
self-censorship on topics such as separatists or promptly cover extraordinary events. In commercial newsgathering and distribution technology is
Russian influence; journalists avoid covering certain media, especially national television, political growing more affordable and is not an obstacle
topics so they cannot be accused of separatism or allegiances obviously color coverage. to quality coverage. Still, broadcasters depend on
treachery to Ukraine. “In Donbas, some journalists The panelists view low pay levels for journalists elections to collect money for equipment upgrades.
would not cover any military issues or would not as a temptation to corruption, but rather as a The under-funded national public broadcaster is
ignore groups that support either very pro-Russian threat of talent flight to other media, larger cities, poorly equipped and forced to rely on international
or pro-Ukrainian sides. Therefore, a part of the or related industries. “Pay levels for journalists donors for equipment to satisfy its needs.
society is ignored and thus does not trust media are low—local media earn about $100‒$200 per
and journalists,” he said. Tomilenko noted additional month,” Skrypnyk said—which pushes them to
pressure on media from radical groups that look for additional sources of income, Vynokur
“In Donbas, some journalists would not cover
arranged protests and burned tires near newsrooms added. Salaries for journalists at the regional any military issues or would ignore groups
such as ZIK, NewsOne, and Inter channels. public television station have climbed higher than that support either very pro-Russian or
Torbich confirmed that the level of professional commercial stations because advertising revenues
and ethical standards in regional media, especially fell substantially over the past few years. Since April
pro-Ukrainian sides. Therefore, a part of the
online, is generally low. In summer 2018, Television 2018, UA:PBC has downsized—from 7,050 to 4,510 society is ignored and thus does not trust
Company Rivne-1 censored a television investigation people. Some staff members were assigned to media and journalists,” Matsuka said.
on the head of Rivne oblast’s state administration, merged positions (and doubled salaries). Matsuka
prepared by Chetverta Vlada agency. The news complained that many journalists are not officially The economy still does allow for diversified,
editor agreed to broadcast the investigation, but employed, and those who cover conflict and warfare quality specialization, Sydorenko said. Investigative
later the executive director refused without substan- zones do not receive hardship pay or medical reporting has boomed in recent years, primarily
tiation—despite arguments from a media lawyer insurance. The media trade union should take this due to extensive training support and funding by
about the investigation’s safety. In another example, up as part of its work to protect the labor rights of donors. There are well-known national investigative
a representative of the advertiser—a company the journalists, Matsuka said. projects, such as Skhemy (a joint project of RFE/
owned by Rivne oblast’s state administration Sydorenko joked that news has not been RL and UA:First), Slidstvo.info, Bihus.info, and Nashi.
head—called the local newspaper’s advertising eclipsed by entertainment, because it is a good Groshi. Investigative programs are booming at the
department to complain about a critical story, and source of jeansa and revenue to television channels. mainstream oligarch television channels, but their
the advertising department tried to pressure the Zakusylo noted a healthy balance with some quality is often questionable, according to DM
journalist. media—for instance, the Novyi Kanal channel monitoring.
Skrypnyk believes that self-censorship is added more entertainment, but a number of news Vynokur said that among local media, investi-
more ingrained in municipal, locally-funded media. channels appeared in recent years. In addition to gative reporting is rare, due to limited legal, financial,
“Ukrainian communities are not yet conscious a dozen news channels, two more gained licenses and educational resources, and it is quite expensive.
enough to stand up for unbiased editorial policies of on the eve of elections. News radio shows also She also underscored a lack of experts and the
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MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
sense that young journalists seem disinclined to Davydenko pointed out that Ukraine lacks Vremya, Ukrinform, Radio Liberty, Liga.net, and
specialize. Universities do not provide specialization a large, independent business media outlet—but hromadske.ua led the way in professionalism, at the
opportunities for journalism students, she added. economic revival may increase the chances for such other end of the spectrum.
International donors do support coverage of a publication.3 According to 2018’s media consumption survey
anti-corruption, decentralization, and other key conducted by InMind for USAID’s Ukraine Media
reforms, and Pankratova said that niche journalism (U-Media) program, implemented by Internews,
is under development: “There are lots of training OBJECTIVE 3: television prevails as the top news source—74
programs on covering certain reforms or topics, PLURALITY
OF NEWS
2.36 _ percent depend on television for news. More than
but these programs do not cover social issues. I half cited the Internet as a major news source,
believe that social issues remain underreported for followed by radio and press. Trust in media
communities.” She feels, however, that there is great Although in previous years panelists charac- increased, with 61 percent expressing trust in
potential in the quality coverage of education, health terized Ukraine as having a plurality of national television, and 56 percent trusting regional
care, economics, and consumer issues; she cited the oligarch-owned media, now they add to it a television. National online media won the trust of
success of a small project, Court Reporter, launched plurality of manipulative news sources and 58 percent, slightly higher than the 52 percent who
by the journalist Iryna Saliy. media, primarily online and social networks, trust regional online news.
A decade ago, several business newspapers that are expected to rise further. Despite an
and magazines, a dozen online publications, and abundance of media, it is hard to find reliable Torbich added, “Although there is a lot of
a few television channels—most maintained by information—making media literacy and critical
sponsors, not investors—enriched Ukraine’s media thinking more important than ever. Khomenok
media and everyone has a choice, at the
offerings. The economic crises of 2008 and 2014 said that although technology has opened up regional level—especially in small towns—it
put some out of business, but Economichna Pravda access to numerous information sources, the is hard to find enough quality local media.”
and Liga.net are general-interest media that cover volume of rubbish in the stream exceeds quality
business issues professionally. The online Delo.ua and relevant news. Torbich added, “Although Overall, social networks and radio expanded
is now independent and self-sustainable. Its editor, there is a lot of media and everyone has a choice, their audiences, but newspapers and magazines
Lyubomyra Remazhevska, foresees that business at the regional level—especially in small towns—it lost a total of 10 percent of their audiences from
media will become sustainable when they are strong is hard to find enough quality local media.” 2015. Russian online media are popular among
enough to reject jeansa and produce useful content eight percent of the population, primarily in Odessa,
that readers will want to pay for—or when they IMI and Texty.org.ua researched Ukraine’s top 50 Zaporizhzhya, and Donetsk oblasts.
master the practice of native advertising. news websites and rated their stories for unreli- More than a third expressed unhappiness with
According to Oleksandr Kramarenko, Den’gi’s ability, based on such criteria as untrustworthy commissioned stories, although 56 percent reported
editor-in-chief, business media may rely on only sources, untrue news, manipulative headlines, and being able to spot such stories.
300,000 large businesses, while targeting small and hate speech. According to their findings, the top 10 According to the survey, the most popular
medium businesses could expand the audience to worst websites were kp.ru, from-ua, znaj.ua, Politeka, newspapers are Segodnya, Vesti, Fakty I Komentarii,
about four million. Another problem is the absence Strana.ua, Vesti.ru, Apostrof, KP.ua, Telegraf, and Argumenty I Fakty, and Bul’var; the top three radio
of a stock market and a shortage of competent Lenta.ru. RBC Ukraine, Ukrainska Pravda, Novoe stations are Hit FM, Shanson, and Avtoradio Ukraina.
business journalists. He traces that to a general Facebook is used by 57 percent of respondents,
decline of qualifications, reduced in-house training, while 21 percent use VKontakte and 15 percent use
3 “When will the black line end in the history of Ukrainian
and declining salaries that have squeezed qualified business media?” Media Lab. Accessed February 19, 2019:
Odnoklassniki (Russian networks that are blocked
journalists out of the industry. http://medialab.online/news/ripak/. in Ukraine). To visit blocked sites, more than half of
11
MEDIA SUSTAINABILIT Y INDE X 2019UKRAINE
the respondents use a VPN, while a small portion across most of Ukraine at the end of August, it will of Ukrainian television channels may cost UAH
deploy browser extensions or proxy servers.4 remain until May 2019 for UA:PBC and regional and 70 ($2.60) per month. Monthly fees for cable/
Texty.org.ua clustered and analyzed 50,000 local broadcasters that lack digital licenses, as well IPTV television will increase by 15‒40 percent in
news stories for 10 months during 2018—analyzing as the territories without transmitters at the Russian 2019. Viasat and GfK Ukraine research found that
80 little-known websites selected out of some Federation border (including special broadcasting Ukrainians are willing to pay UAH 100 per month
150 websites that published anti-Ukrainian or zones near Crimea and the Joint Forces Operation ($3.75) for television.
pro-Russian propaganda. Various insider sources [JFO] zone in Donbas). More than 50 regional and “With analog turnoff in areas where digital
told Texty that these websites are created to profit local broadcasters that have successfully operated signal coverage is imperfect, people are able to
from paid-for stories or to publish accusations for decades risk disappearing, as they were refused watch just a few channels,” Skrypnik said, noting
against public figures, then blackmail them for (unfairly, some panelists maintain) digital licenses that terrestrial television from Russia penetrates
payment to remove them. They typically provide during the 2011 competition. In September 2018, the Ukraine’s borders. Vynokur added that her television
no contact information, their design is very simple, parliamentary committee on freedom of speech station noticed a decrease in paid greetings from
and servers might be located abroad. Despite their highlighted the need to provide set-top boxes to rural inhabitants, and she now questions whether
inferior quality, they attract an audience of about everyone who receives state subsidies, as well as to they could no longer afford it, or whether they lost
50 million per month, far outpacing news sources provide digital licenses to regional broadcasters and access to her channel because they do not have the
considered more reliable—such as Ukrainska Pravda, to establish competition to Zeonbud’s monopoly as required set-top boxes. There are towns and villages
which draws 16 million readers per month, or Novoe a provider of digital television in Ukraine. Zeonbud in the Ternopil region that have been without a
Vremya, with 10.25 million readers. installed its digital transmitters at the tower of television tower since Ukraine’s independence.
Russian propagandists often use websites Concern RRT, which is even closer to bankruptcy Rozkladay added that television coverage gaps also
directly or via public relations agencies. Texty could with the loss of analog revenues. mark the Chernigiv and Polissya regions, while the
not prove such deals but pointed to numerous The panelists mentioned that the urban-rural state improved television coverage for territories
reposts of Kremlin statements. Twenty-two websites digital gap is gradually decreasing. “Access to media near Crimea and occupied Donbas, in Odessa
surveyed are Russian-based media or edited for inhabitants of small towns and villages remains oblast.
from the occupied territories. They often refer to complicated. The most problematic are territories The panelists acknowledged the importance of
sources that are Russian or Ukrainian pro-Kremlin close to borders where Ukraine tries to restrict the the public broadcaster and its financially precarious
media, such as Strana.ua, Vesti.ua, 112 Ukraina, and hostile influence of Russian propaganda,” Kvurt said. state. Skrypnyk commented that public broadcasting
NewsOne. Texty concluded that, given the political Zakusylo noted that the government blocked is a media breakthrough, but it needs a better
dependence of many Ukrainian media along with free access to Russian television channels, social funding model—most likely a direct, fixed tax.
overtly pro-Russian online media, the online space in networks, and hundreds of online sources from Matsuka criticized the public broadcaster more
Ukraine is very vulnerable to be exploited as a tool Russia and the occupied territories. Economic harshly for pro-governmental or partisan ideology.
to manipulate public opinion.5 barriers could intensify as well, Zakusylo added. As an example, all state and public media covered
Although analog broadcasting was turned off “Mainstream television groups plan to transfer to events around obtaining Tomos (a decree from the
a paid-for content model: they plan to increase head of a particular Orthodox church on
4 “Media Consumption Survey in Ukraine.” Internews, June
royalties for the providers, which, in turn, increases issues such as the level of dependence of an
2018. Accessed February 19, 2019: https://internews.in.ua/ fees for cable and Internet television services. In autonomous church on its mother church) for the
wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018-MediaConsumSurvey_ June 2019, the largest television media holdings Orthodox Church of Ukraine without any critical
eng_FIN.pdf. plan to code their satellite signal and transfer it to analysis, he said.
5 “We’ve got bad news!” Texty.org, November 28, 2018.
Accessed February 19, 2019: http://texty.org.ua/d/2018/
a paid-for basis via Viasat and XtraTV platforms,” Tomilenko said Ukrposhta (Ukrainian Post
mnews/. she explained. After coding, the satellite package Office) modus operandi is the key force responsible
12
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