Over a thousand journalists joined the group in facebook against the law on libel

An open group "Say No to the law on libel" has been created in the Facebook network.

It was joined by famous Ukrainian journalists and editors of leading publications.

"Ukrainian journalists believe that this law will be used selectively against those who publish materials critical to the government. Such a provision would destroy freedom of speech in Ukraine as it will make many journalists to refuse from any criticism of government that can be later called libel" – noted the group members.

"This law concerns not only journalists, but also all citizens. Because any public statement or comment in the media may be deemed libel, if the court decides that it can harm person’s honor and dignity" – a quote from the group profile.

Group members believe that, "given the state of the judicial system of Ukraine, this bill is a great threat to the entire civil society."

The group is open, and any Facebook user can join it. As of Friday, September 21, noon the group has about a thousand members.

As you know, on September 18, the Parliament adopted at the first reading amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to strengthen responsibility for attacks on the honor and dignity of the person, including libel.

The bill introduces a penalty of 2-5 years in prison for defamation. In the first reading the bill gained 244 votes. Members of the Party of Regions, Communists, individual deputies and People’s Party fraction members voted for it.

Source: Ukrajinska Pravda