The events organized by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) offer an opportunity for the participants (this year’s events have drawn together nearly 1,000 editors and media managers of world renown) to jointly seek the ways of reacting to new challenges, share experience. After all, this is a ground for journalists’ consolidation. In Ukraine the organizers attach special attention to the freedom of speech.
On the eve of the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum some Ukrainian journalists, especially those who work on TVi channel, suggested to boycott the events as a matter of protest against the violations of freedom of speech. However, as WAN-IFRA president Jacob Mathew pointed out at the opening ceremony, the WAN-IFRA decided to support its colleagues in quite a converse way.
“We came here to show our solidarity with all the journalists in Ukraine. We have been advised to take the path of boycott, but we decided to come, to sort out everything on our own, and express our support for our Ukrainian colleagues,” Mr. MATHEW admitted. “Ukraine has suffered many tragedies, like manmade famine orchestrated by Stalin and Chornobyl disaster, but still I am sure it will be able to overcome the weaknesses.
We are glad that President Viktor Yanukovych is present at the opening of the World Congress of Press and World Forum of Editors, which is proof of his attention to the issue of independent mass media. Their development should be a top priority for the government and will boost trust to it.”
At the same time Mathew expressed his concern about the current situation with mass media in Ukraine. In particular, he stated that the phenomenon of paid news is the worst side of it and also expressed regret about the fact that switching to digital broadcasting has left several media beyond the market in the regions. “Equal rules should be provided for everyone and the working group created at the Presidential Administration needs to win the trust,” WAN-IFRA said.
It should be mentioned that the speech delivered by Mathew, who is Indian by origin, impressed with the good level of understanding of our country, its past, and its role in the world, which is something representatives of the West are often lacking. Let alone the fact that at the end of his speech he quoted Taras Shevchenko’s Zapovit.
In spite of the calls to boycott the congress and the forum, it is important to hold such events in Ukraine from many points of view: as an opportunity to involve the country in the world discussion, reduce the level of isolation where we are gradually finding ourselves because of the political situation, and ruin the mistaken stereotypes, which have been spread in the world as a result of the lack of adequate and regular information about Ukraine in the West, let alone Asia, Africa, or Latin America. But for this we need to actively communicate with foreigners. Incidentally, The Day will also contribute to destroying the information barriers. Mykola Siruk, the Head of the International Section, Ukrainian daily Den, will take part in the debate “Development of the Audience. What draws the readers and advertisers?”
“The Forum and the Congress are extremely important for the development of the freedom of press. For they have drawn together the best media leaders from all over the world. Today Ukraine does not have so many quality and free media, so I would like the situation to improve. Everyone is concerned about the situation with TVi channel, as it is losing audience. As a result, only government-friendly broadcasters remain,” Kyivpost Editor-in-Chief Brian BONNER told THE DAY. “Kyiv has proved that it is able to organize world-level events. To continue doing so, you need to be a European and democratic society. Such events are impossible in Belarus or any other authoritarian countries. After all, participation in this kind of events draws Ukraine closer to Europeanness and democracy.”
The more Europe is present in Ukraine, the fewer possibilities the power has to show its negative face. A simple example: Kyiv journalists held a protest action against the suppression of freedom of speech right in the hall where the opening of the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum took place. While Viktor Yanukovych was delivering a speech, Serhii Leshchenko, Mykola Kniazhnytsky, Mustafa Nayem, and other participants of the movement “Stop Censure!” raised placards with slogans demanding to stop the persecution of the TVi channel, as well as of independent journalists and publications. The president’s guard would hardly have refrained from any actions unless the presence of hundreds of foreign journalists in the hall.
Certainly, the media events that are taking place in Kyiv are one more attempt of the Ukrainian authorities to mend their relations with the West. Proof of this is Yanukovych’s presence at the opening ceremony at the International Center of Culture and Art.
“In spite of the complicated Soviet heritage, young age of our state and the political and economic crises, Ukraine has managed to achieve an essential progress in the sphere of freedom of speech. In spite of certain disparities in views, which are only natural, all the political forces are united in their vision of the democratic path of the state’s development, and freedom of speech is an integral part of it. Therefore the government’s top priority in the sphere of media is to create the conditions for efficient development of the free press.
“It is well known that there are no tabooed topics in Ukraine for the press. At the same time numerous problems persist. First and foremost, I explain this fact by the inertness of the state and social mechanisms. We continue to improve the public access to information. In May this year the government submitted a bill to the parliament which increases responsibility for the officials for violating the procedures of public access to information. Another problem is inefficient reaction of law-enforcement bodies to the signals of journalists. We will overcome this problem inherited from the past through reforming of prosecutor’s office and law-enforcement agencies. At the same time, I believe that journalists, too, should assist in the work on establishing a proper level of freedom of speech in the country. We will strive to create in the near future favorable conditions for the efficient functioning of printed editions market. I am ready for cooperation and open for constructive dialogue,” Ukrainian president admitted.
However, one should not think of foreign guests as naive and credulous people. Despite the warm statements addressed to the country their attitude towards the government remains cool. The proof to that is the fact that everybody stood up to greet Viktor Yanukovych but no one applauded.
“I support the Ukrainian president in what he says but I would like to see more of specific actions,” said Brian BONNER in his comment to THE DAY.
“I saw my Ukrainian colleagues, who were holding signs during the president’s speech. I fully support them because everywhere in the world the freedom of expression means not the freedom of journalists but the freedom of citizens whose interests are defended by the free press. As journalists we should support our colleagues around the world,” noted media consultant in his comment to THE DAY. “It is extremely important that the forum and congress are taking place in Ukraine. It is an honor for any country to host events organized by WAN-IFRA. More than a thousand journalists from all over the world will come to your country during the forum and the congress. After this they will go to their home countries and will write about Ukraine.”
However, perhaps, in the situation in which the 64th World Newspaper Congress and the 19th World Editors Forum are taking place it is the most important for both its participants and Ukrainian journalists not to confuse the country with its interests and the government that currently represents this country.
